Recently I came across this poem in my “Streams In The Desert” devotional book. It encouraged me deeply. Reminded me that there is glory in the mundane, blessing in the everyday. This is where God meets us and changes us to be more like Him!

I longed to walk along an easy road,

And leave behind the dull routine of home,

Thinking in other fields to serve my God;

But Jesus said, “My time has not yet come.”

***

I longed to sow the seed in other soil,

To be unfettered in the work, and free,

To join with other labourers in their toil;

But Jesus said, “Tis not My choice for thee.”

***

I longed to leave the desert, and be led

To work where souls were sunk in sin and shame,

That I might win them; but the Master said,

“I have not called thee, publish here My name.”

***

I longed to fight the battles of my King,

Lift high His standards in the thickest strife;

But my great Captain bade me wait and sing

Songs of His conquests in my quiet life.

***

I longed to leave the uncongenial sphere,

Where all alone I seemed to stand and wait,

To feel I had some human helper near,

But Jesus bade me guard one lonely gate.

***

I longed to leave the round of daily toil,

Where no one seemed to understand or care;

But Jesus said, “I choose for thee this soil,

That thou might’st raise for Me some blossoms rare.”

***

And now I have no longing but to do

At home, or else afar, His blessed will,

To work amid the many or the few;

Thus, ‘choosing not to choose,’ my heart is still.

~Selected