Brighten the Corner Where You Are

Yesterday I was talking with my mother-in-law about some friends who have planned a mission trip to Thailand.   They planned the same trip last year, but were unable to go at the last minute.  This year, catastrophic flooding is preventing them from going.  It can be so frustrating to feel called to a particular place and purpose, to plan and have success in planning the event, and then find you have seemingly done so much for nothing.  However, God has shown me over and over again that nothing is ever done without purpose!

I often feel a spiritual pull toward various missions.  Most recently my prayers have been for my friends and the children of Guatemala, where I spent a short time three years ago.  I know I could be of service there!  My niece Jennifer feels the same calling to Africa, especially after a short mission trip there this past summer, but has responsibilities to finish here in the states before she can go there full-time.   Here is what I am learning:  God may be calling you, but there is always a preparation to be made, and usually not in the manner you first think.  Hold on to your dreams, but don't hold them so tightly that God can't do anything with them.  He is full of delightful surprises!

The circumstances in my life right now, the responsibilities and ties that seem to be holding me back, are actually the very places God wants me to be faithful in service now.  He is growing me and shaping me, and fitting me for the future - no matter what it holds.  All I need to focus on is Him and obeying Him, and He will take me where He needs me!

I am certainly not the only person who has ever struggled in this area.  I find great encouragement in the following story about Ina Ogden, who wrote the lyrics to the old hymn, "Brighten the Corner Where You Are."

Mrs. Ina Ogdon was selected to be on the Chautauqua Circuit. This would give her the opportunity to reach thousands around the country with her brilliant oratory. Just before she was to leave on the tour, her father was injured seriously in an automobile accident. Ina felt it necessary to cancel her plans so she could take care of her father. At first Mrs. Ogdon felt much anger and resentment against God for allowing this tragedy to happen. Gradually, however, she determined that she would be happy and remain “true to the many duties near” her. She would do her best to “brighten the corner” where God had placed her. Ina completed this poem in 1913. Later it was set to its lilting music by the well-known musician, Charles Gabriel, and it became the popular theme song of the Billy Sunday-Homer Rodeheaver campaigns. Interestingly, Mrs. Ogdon no doubt ministered effectively to more people with these challenging words, born out of despair, than she would have done with her speaking tours on the Chautauqua Circuit.

Do not wait until some deed of greatness you may do,
Do not wait to shed your light afar,
To the many duties ever near you now be true,
Brighten the corner where you are.

Just above are clouded skies that you may help to clear,
Let not narrow self your way debar;
Though into one heart alone may fall your song of cheer,
Brighten the corner where you are.

Here for all your talent you may surely find a need,
Here reflect the bright and Morning Star;
Even from your humble hand the Bread of Life may feed,
Brighten the corner where you are.

Chorus:
Brighten the corner where you are!
Brighten the corner where you are!
Someone far from harbor you may guide across the bar;
Brighten the corner where you are!

http://www.scriptureandmusic.com/Music/MIDI/Brighten_The_Corner_N.mid

Living Faith (Making it Real)

I read today from Streams in the Desert.  Here is part of the devotional reading:

"Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me" (Mark 8:34).

The cross which my Lord bids me take up and carry may assume different shapes. I may have to content myself with a lowly and narrow sphere, when I feel that I have capacities for much higher work. I may have to go on cultivating year after year, a field which seems to yield me no harvests whatsoever. I may be bidden to cherish kind and loving thoughts about someone who has wronged me--be bidden speak to him tenderly, and take his part against all who oppose him, and crown him with sympathy and succor. I may have to confess my Master amongst those who do not wish to be reminded of Him and His claims. I may be called to "move among my race, and show a glorious morning face," when my heart is breaking.

There are many crosses, and every one of them is sore and heavy. None of them is likely to be sought out by me of my own accord. But never is Jesus so near me as when I lift my cross, and lay it submissively on my shoulder, and give it the welcome of a patient and unmurmuring spirit.

He draws close, to ripen my wisdom, to deepen my peace, to increase my courage, to augment my power to be of use to others, through the very experience which is so grievous and distressing, and then--as I read on the seal of one of those Scottish Covenanters whom Claverhouse imprisoned on the lonely Bass, with the sea surging and sobbing round--I grow under the load.--Alexander Smellie. 

I have been struggling of late with feeling unproductive, sometimes even unnecessary.  I see no results in much of the work that I do.  Even knowing God is at work, and He will bring about His results, these feelings persist.

I have been struggling to fully forgive a couple of people who have wronged a loved one.  I thought I had forgiven, until I came face to face with one of these people.  What a wakeup call - to have to put into practice what I know to be the right thing!

These words encouraged me today.  They give me a photograph of what grace in action looks like.  They turn my "spiritual thoughts" into real living, practically and purposefully.  And I had to smile when I saw who originally wrote these words - Mr. Smellie surely had experienced some ignominious moments of his own!

Thank you, Lord God, for your mercy and continued instruction to me.  Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me.