What to Do?
God's will for us is to do something, no matter how small, and He will make His will plain to us if we ask.
Mary Wilder Tileston emphasizes the importance of seeking God's will in every aspect of our lives, especially in times of difficulty or uncertainty. She highlights the significance of even the smallest acts of love and mercy, as they are seen as offerings to God Himself. Tileston encourages individuals, regardless of their circumstances, to humbly ask God, 'What wouldst Thou have me to do?' knowing that God desires each person to serve Him in various ways, whether through comforting others, showing kindness, or patiently waiting for His guidance.
Text
Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?
ACTS 10:6
EVERY task, however simple, sets the soul that does it free; Every deed of love and mercy, done to man is done to Me.
HENRY VAN DYKE
FOR each one of us, whether on a bed of pain, in feebleness and uncertainty of purpose such as comes with ill-health or overstrained nerves, or whatever else may be our immediate condition, nothing is more urgent, nothing more behooves us than to ask, "What wouldst Thou have me to do?" For, whatever our state, however helpless and incapable, however little service to God or to our neighbor seems within our power, there is no doubt at all as to His willing us to do something. Not necessarily any great thing; it may be only some little message of sympathy and comfort to carry to one even more lonely than we are; it may be some tiny pleasure to a little child, or a kindly word or glance to one whose own fault has cut him off from general kindness and pity; it may be even only in humble patience to stand and wait till He makes His will plain, abstaining the while from murmur and fretfulness; but, in some shape or other, be certain that your Master and Lord hears and will answer your question, "What wouldst Thou have me to do?"
H. L. SIDNEY LEAR
Sermon Outline
- The Urgency of Asking
- God's Will for Us
- The Nature of God's Will
- It may be a small act of kindness or service
- It may be patience and waiting
- It may be abstaining from murmuring and fretfulness
Key Quotes
“EVERY task, however simple, sets the soul that does it free;” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“For, whatever our state, however helpless and incapable, however little service to God or to our neighbor seems within our power, there is no doubt at all as to His willing us to do something.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“be certain that your Master and Lord hears and will answer your question, 'What wouldst Thou have me to do?'” — Mary Wilder Tileston
Application Points
- Take time to ask God what He wants you to do, and then take it one step at a time.
- Remember that God's will is not just about great things, but also about small acts of kindness and service.
- Look for peace and guidance in your heart, and remember that God will answer your question, 'What wouldst Thou have me to do?'