NOT TO BE GUILTY OF “STANDING HERE IDLE”

Doing our best for the LORD and His kingdom should be our priority in life. The time is short, and we will have to leave this world, pretty soon, forever. Whatever life the LORD has given us, let us use it in His worship, for His glory and for His work. This sums up the whole work of a Christian.

“17…whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” “15…He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.” “7 For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. 8 For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living.” – Colossians 3:17; 2 Corinthians 5:15; Romans 14:7-9

Myra Wood Allen – 1800-1831, though lives for a mere 31 years, she did her best for her LORD and Saviour. In 1827, she married David O. Allen, a long-time acquaintance. Days after their marriage, both of them set sail to Bombay, India. They arrived on November 27, 1827. In 1831, Myra Allen gave birth to a son, and died shortly thereafter, on February 5, 1831.

Myra Allen wrote the following, in her journal, about her experience in joining her church: “After serious deliberation, therefore, I gave my name to be proposed to the church for admission, and on the 8th December, 1822, entered into solemn covenant engagements to be the Lord’s. It was a day of solemnity and joy to my soul, and one which, I felt, called for the most lively gratitude, not only for the mercy I experienced myself, but that others received the same with me . . . For a considerable time I was scarcely troubled with a serious doubt. I had no ecstacies [sic] of joy, but a peace and tranquility such as I had never before experienced.”

Myra Wood writes in her journal on 23 November 1826, that a number of single women have united in prayer and fasting to find a more useful sphere of action so as not to be guilty of “standing here idle.”

What commitment towards her God, and what passion to make the use of her time, for the LORD, and in His service. May the LORD inspire us to be mindful of the fact, that we have a limited amount of time, here on earth. We should make the best use of it, and live for God, and His kingdom. Let us not be selfish in spending our time, talents and resources on ourselves, but be useful for the kingdom of God.