THE WAY OF THE SATISFIED HEART AND THE UNSATISFIED
THE WAY OF THE SATISFIED HEART AND THE UNSATISFIED
The difference between a satisfied and unsatisfied, though truly earnest soul, is very marked. The latter betrays self at every opposition; he is most diligent in acquiring truth, like the bee toiling all day for honey, but with this great zeal there is a peculiar sensitiveness to every obstacle, which, like the bee, he avenges by bitter retort. The sense of that great good, which will only satisfy me, stimulates me to unceasing energy to acquire it; but in proportion to my zeal, the more embittered am I with what interferes with me in my pursuit. The bee toiling indefatigably for the sweetest [p. 141] thing inflicts on its opponent the bitterest wound. The desire of the heart to reach the best thing is right and perfect, but because that which satisfies has not been reached, there is no power against the disturber, and this too often exposes the saint to the reproach of being in manner and word the very opposite to his profession and real purpose. The more we are set on reaching Christ the more conscious we are of every character of opposition which baffles and hinders. But because we have not reached Him in power and sufficiency, we too often turn to the flesh for aid. It is very distressing to the earnest toiler after Christ to be betrayed into angry and hasty retort when in any way assailed, but it is well to be able to account for this painful anomaly. Hunting is not enough without roasting; seeking and even acquiring is not sufficient.
Now when I have found Christ for my heart - when He satisfies me, my toil is not so much that of the bee among the flowers as of the bee in the hive; it is less the zeal of the seeker than the zest of the proprietor exploring and delighting in his acquisitions; I am occupied with beholding the glory of the Lord - His beauty - and enquiring in His temple. Such an one is not less sensitive to incongruities and offenders, but he is so assured of his wealth and power, that he feels like a rock on which the waves exert their violence in vain. Practically I am always acquiring more of Christ while here. I count all things but dung that I may win Him. I am in one sense the bee among the flowers all day long; but it is a very different thing to acquire with a satisfied heart than with an unsatisfied one. As I have acquired Him - as I know Him and the power of His resurrection, I am in fellowship with His sufferings, and I bear everything as He bore it, and can walk with His unfailing grace and dignity through every molestation. According as I learn in practice the virtue of Christ, so am I the more occupied with Him, and less occupied with the evil which would hinder me.