Article July 7, 1951 Issue

WISHING OR WORKING?

ETHEL E. BRICE

Everyone, no doubt, has heard at some time a remark like this: "That person is lucky. He gets the best of everything." Perhaps we have been tempted to think similarly of someone whom we have seen go forward joyously claiming his freedom and the fulfillment of the promise (Ps. 138:8), "The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me."

The writer is reminded of an incident in her girlhood. The family had just moved to a place where the large lawn had been sadly neglected. Leaning over the fence one afternoon, she watched her new neighbor pulling a few scattered weeds from her carefully cultivated garden. Then she looked from the well-trimmed lawn to their own unkept place and said wistfully, "I wish our yard looked as nice as yours." At that moment her father came out carrying some garden tools and said gently, "If you will put these tools to work, together we may see our yard become a lovely spot." And so it was, after weeks and months of hard, patient work the place was transformed into one of order and attractiveness.

How much easier it is to wish and wish than to work for a desirable goal. How often error traps us into looking with envy on one who has attained the abundant life and is experiencing the fulfillment of God's promises. We may fretfully ask, "If God is impartial, why do I have so little?" or, "Why is not my problem met?" Let such a one make a close study of the Bible promises and note the fact that most of them are accompanied by a specific condition. To mention only two: "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:31, 32), and, "He that over-cometh shall inherit all things" (Rev. 21:7). Freedom and abundance are surely for all who with sincerity seek truth persistently and live in obedience to God's law. But they are gained not by idle wishing, but by earnest working.

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