Gods Sabbath

S UCCESS AND F AILURES

143

At this stage there are still many unanswered questions. We might wonder how we can positively know what are God’s plans for us, and what effect this system will have on our character and personality. We also need to know how to co work with Him, and what is our part in the carrying out of God’s plans. These are extremely important questions, but there is no need to wait until they are all answered before making a com mitment to labor to enter into that rest which can be found on ly when we cease from trying to do the Lord’s work in our own wisdom. God has already given us more than sufficient evi dence with which to make a definite decision. Those who defer obedience until every shadow of uncertainty fully disappears, and there remains no risk of failure, will never obey at all. “Often the Christian life is beset by dangers, and duty seems hard to perform. The imagination pictures impending ruin be fore and bondage or death behind. Yet the voice of God speaks clearly, “Go forward.” We should obey this command, even though our eyes cannot penetrate the darkness, and we feel the cold waves about our feet. The obstacles that hinder our progress will never disappear before a halting, doubting spirit. Those who defer obedience till every shadow of uncertainty dis appears and there remains no risk of failure or defeat, will nev er obey at all. Unbelief whispers, “Let us wait till the obstruc tions are removed, and we can see our way clearly;” but faith courageously urges an advance, hoping all things, believing all things.” Patriarchs and Prophets , 290.2. Like the Israelites of old at the Red Sea, we need to step out in faith, trusting all to our heavenly Guide. If we wish to follow Christ, we need to learn that we have a positive responsibility to make a total commitment and submit entirely to God’s ways. The alternative is to leave the Lord’s service altogether and join the world. There is no middle way. We cannot march in Christ’s army on our own terms. That is not possible—we would always be out of step. If we do not wish to know and follow God’s ways, then we will not be comfortable within His church. He has out lined the only formula for success and those who wish to be co workers with Him need to trust and follow that way. The very fact that a person has joined the body of Christ is in reality a