It is not so much your work as you that God wants; at least he wants you first, and then your work. Service from hearts that are not really consecrated to God is not pleasing to him. We are in danger of forgetting this in our busy, bustling days. It is easier to offer God a few activities than to give him a heart. The tendency of the religious life at present is to work, to service, rather than to loving God. So we need to remind ourselves continually that loving must come before doing and serving. The largest and most conspicuous work will find no acceptance with God if our hearts are not his.
“‘Tis not thy work the Master needs, but
thee —
The obedient spirit, the believing heart,
The child obedient, trustful, glad to be
Where'er He will, to stay or to depart.”