“Let me remind you how the Saviour lived. He never settled down in desires and resolves, but girded Himself for constant service.
He said, ‘My meat is to do the will of Him that sent Me, and to finish His work.’ (John 4:34)
Soul-winning must be meat and drink to us. To do the Lord’s work must be as necessary as food to us.
His Father’s work is that in which we also are engaged, and we cannot do better than imitate our Lord. Tell me, then, how Jesus set about it.
Did He set about it by arranging to build a huge Tabernacle, or by organizing a monster Conference, or by publishing a great book, or by sounding a trumpet before Him in any other form?
Did He aim at something great, and altogether out of the common line of service?
Did He bid high for popularity, and wear Himself out by an exhausting sensationalism?
No. He called disciples to Him one by one, and instructed each one with patient care.
To take a typical instance of His method, watch Him as He paused in the heat of the day. He sat upon a well, and talked with a woman,– a woman who was none of the best.
This looked like slow work, and very common-place action. Yet we know that it was right and wise.
To that single auditor, He did not deliver a list of clever maxims, like those of Confucius, or profound philosophies, like those of Socrates.
But He talked simply, plainly, and earnestly with her about her own life, her personal needs, and the living water of grace by which those needs could be supplied.
He won her heart, and through her many more; but He did it in a way of which many would think little. He was beyond the petty ambitions of our vain-glorious hearts.
He cared not for a large congregation; He did not even ask for a pulpit.
He desired to be the spiritual Father of that one daughter; and, for that purpose, He must needs go through Samaria, and must, in His utmost weariness, tell her of the water of life.
Brethren, let us lay aside vanity. Let us grow more simple, natural, and father-like as we mature; and let us be more and more completely absorbed in our life-work.
As the Lord shall help us, let us lay our all upon the altar, and only breathe for Him.”
–Charles H. Spurgeon, An All-Round Ministry: Addresses to Ministers and Students (Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1900/1960), 194-196.
