God's Sabbath

G OD ’ S W AY IN M ISSIONARY W ORK

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With great clarity, I saw myself as a tool in the Master’s hand. It was not for me to make decisions as to whether or not to en gage in certain missionary activities. That was the Master Work man’s personal responsibility. I had only to wait patiently and uncomplainingly until His directives regarding work came to me. I was filled with great joy at the revelation of these principles. Something about them was beautiful and attractive to me, and I welcomed them wholeheartedly, immediately falling upon my knees and making a dedication to God different from any that I had ever made before. I told Him that I would make no plans to seek out souls, but would speak about the message only to those with whom He brought me into direct contact. I would be care ful to test each encounter to make sure that it was the Lord, and not Satan, who was managing things. I found that it was just as important to stand and wait when God so directed, as it was to run with the truth. Complete sub mission to Jehovah’s will became the most important thing in my life. Once that dedication was made, I found that for quite a few weeks, the Lord let me stand and wait. That time passed with not a single opportunity for missionary work presenting itself, though there were abundant temptations to make arrangements to speak to others. I am thankful that I did not become anxious, nor was I tempted to break the holy covenant which I had made, although Satan certainly put pressure on me to do something. He artfully suggested that the absence of a commission to work indicated the Lord’s rejection of me, and that therefore, I need ed to generate missionary activity in my life in an effort to con firm God’s acceptance and approval. Looking back, I am fully satisfied that my divine Head was testing the strength of my resolve to serve Him according to His ways, even though I did not understand the Sabbath rest prin ciples then as distinctly and extensively as I did later on. I know that I passed that test, for not once during the waiting time did I deviate from my covenant. I was at perfect rest in myself and Waiting on the Lord