| The Best Things in Life |
Chapter 1 |
Page 7 |
In Christian life, only the highest ideal should be accepted. It is not enough to say, “Some of self and some of thee,” or even “Less of self and more of thee“‘ the only true striving must be for “None for self, and all of thee.” A young Christian has just asked whether dancing, card playing, and the theatre are permissible for a Christian. The question may be answered by asking another: “Do you want to reach the highest and best in Christian life and service, of do you desire to attain only the lowest levels which the widest charity will accept as within the lines of permissible things? Do you want to rise to the absolutely best things in Christian consecration? Or do you wish to make just as little as possible of your devotion to Christ?”
In all lines of life many pleasant things have to be given up in order to reach the best. There is a story of a boy who aspired to be some day a skillful surgeon. He was an enthusiastic baseball player. An eminent surgeon who knew the boy’s desire told him that his playing would stiffen and thicken his fingers and finally destroy the delicacy of touch that is so essential in critical surgical work. The favourite amusement was instantly sacrificed – the good given up for the better, the best.
The same rue must be followed in every department of life. We can get the best things only by the sacrifice of the things that are merely good.
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