human
His servants shall serve Him. We are told of the man who increased the talents or the pounds to five or ten that he was to be used for glorious work according as he had fitted himself--
gpt
Lord, thy talent hath gained five talents, ten talents. What was the reply?
human
You are now to go and rest for all eternity. Not a bit of it.
gpt
Be thou ruler over five cities, over ten cities; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. I know some men who are now retired after a very busy active life of work, and they hate the idleness, they are sick of it. No wonder the conventional Heaven does not appeal to them. Ah, that is not God's Heaven.
human
They rest from their labours. Yes; but that word
gpt
means painful strain. In eternal, untiring youth and strength we shall be occupied in doing His blessed will in helping and blessing the wide universe that He has made. Who can tell what glorious ministrations, what infinite activities, what endless growth and progress, and lifting up of brethren, God has in store for us through all eternity. Thank God for the thought of that joyous work of never-tiring youth and vigour; work of men proudly rejoicing in their strength, helping the weak ones, teaching the ignorant aye! perhaps for the very best of us going out with Christ into the outer darkness to seek that which is lost until He find it. For even that is not shut out beyond the bounds of possibility in the impenetrable mystery of the Hereafter. Do you know Whittier's beautiful poem of the old monk who had spent his whole life in hard and menial work for the rescue and help of others? And when he is dying his confessor tells him work is over,
human
Thou shalt sit down and have endless prayers, and wear a golden crown for ever and ever in Heaven.
gpt
Ah, he says,
human
I'm a stupid old man. I'm dull at prayers. I can't keep awake, but I love my fellow men. I could be good to the worst of them. I could not bear to sit amongst the lazy saints and turn a deaf ear to the sore complaints of those that suffer. I don't want your idle Heaven. I want still to work for others.
gpt
Tender and most compassionate. Never fear, For Heaven is love, as God Himself is love; Thy work below shall be thy work above.