ENTERING A NEW PATH
ENTERING A NEW PATH
Everything depends on the way great eras of our lives are entered on. The germ of faith will outlive the sternest winds and roughest seas. We enter on them enthusiastically, or stoically. Nature or disposition may have much to do with our external manner; but it is faith in God which stands the wear of years, and the sorrows of life. I do not propose to you to anticipate trial, or deprecate in you expectations of happy days here - quite the contrary; but I say that that which will outlive all anticipation and all enjoyments, is the way in which you reckon on God when entering on the new path. You are now committing your bark to the sea, and “they that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; these see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep” (Psalm 107: 23, 24). But this signifies not, if they know on whom they can reckon when brought to their wit’s end; because, in dealing with things which we engage in, we find how inadequate we are; and when we do, if we have known what it is to reckon on God, we cry unto Him, and He maketh the storm a calm, and we are led into the desired haven. I do not say that it is not right for you to go down to the sea; but I desire that you should realise the gravity of your step; and no doubt God will then unfold to you the wonders of His love, in the company and support and sympathy of your Captain.
When the gravity of a new position is not apprehended, there is an entering on it in that case or indifference which is sure to fail., and there must of necessity [p. 248] be discipline, to correct the rashness which is not faith. Moses meant right, but he is corrected by the one he first served, for his presuming to enter on so great a work without counsel from God.
The diligent bird builds its nest before the leaves are on the tree; for it knows, if it be well sheltered and secured when there are no leaves, how well it will be when there are plenty. If you and your dear husband enter on the new course depending on God, and not on leaves, or one’s own feelings, you will find that, instead of this dependence, which the gravity of the step demands, hindering the leaves, or separating you, it will, on the contrary, enable you to enjoy them the more.
You can say, ‘My nest is fixed in such a safe spot that, leaves or no leaves, it must abide, because of His hand who has ordered and fixed it, and just so long as He likes; and when He sees fit to break it up, He will only remove us where joys will never fail, and sorrows will never enter’.
So that, when He gives leaves, and fine bright days here, you can rejoice not merely in them, but in Him who has prepared a city of habitation for you in the wilderness, who provides everything which enables you to go on well and truly through this desert land; and hence, the more you begin with Him, the more will you be able to enjoy all the mercies of the way, because not primarily dependent on them; and the better will you bear up if the storm should come, and sweep away leaves, and nest, and all.
The Lord give you both to start in dependence on Him, a dependence that can stay your heart, either in joy or sorrow, and bless you very abundantly.