The Personal Touch | Page 6

done." In such a
completely surrendered life we have a perfect representation of the
prepared Christian worker.
In the expression of Isaiah we have also the thought of His anguish.
"He was made a polished shaft." In these days when there is a
disposition to place Jesus upon the level with others who have wrought
for the good of humanity, it is well to remember that He is the Lamb
slain from the foundation of the world. There is also the thought of the
beauty of His character, for He is a "polished shaft," "chiefest among

ten thousand," and "the One altogether lovely." He is "the lily of the
valley" for fragrance, and "the rose of Sharon" for beauty, and thus
prepared He stands before us beckoning us on to a work which is
indescribable in its fascination. Calling His disciples He said, "I will
make you fishers of men." The same promise is made to us. Working
His miracles He said to those about Him, "Greater works than these
shall ye do." We have only to follow in His footsteps and walk
sufficiently near to hear His faintest whisper when He directs us to be,
in the truest sense of the word, successful personal workers.
It is a great encouragement to hear Him say, "As the Father hath sent
me, even so send I you." The shaft mentioned by Isaiah is an arrow
prepared with all care. The quiver in which this arrow is placed is
carried on the left side of the archer, placed upon the string of the bow,
the archer drawing back the string adds to the elasticity of bow and
string his own strength, and the shaft is off to do the archer's will. There
is in this story an illustration for all Christian workers. Fitness for
service lies first of all in divine endowment. God has given to each one
of us special and peculiar qualifications. If we live as we ought to live,
exercising the gift that is in us; the painter may paint for His glory; the
poet may sing and speak of Him; the preacher may preach and declare
His righteousness, and should we live in less conspicuous spheres than
these, we have only to do our best with that with which He has
endowed us and our lives will be pleasing to Him.
It lies also in the divine call. The shaft was made for a special purpose.
We have been created to do His will. The possession of power is not
enough; talents unused will rise at the Judgment Seat to rebuke us. God
gives us ability and then calls us forth into the field that we may
exercise it. Fitness for service also lies in the response to God's will.
The possession of power and the call of God may both be realised and
we may still fail. It is when we say "I will," to God that human
weakness is linked to divine strength and then a great service is
possible.
Life is not drudgery, it is an inspiration.
"Let me but do my work from day to day, In field or forest, at desk or

loom; When vagrant wishes beckon me away, Let me but find it in my
heart to say, This is my work, my blessing not my doom; Of all who
live I am the only one by whom This work can best be done."
The word of the Prophet Isaiah is a picture of the child of God, as well
as of Him who is our inspiration for service. There is the thought of
definiteness of use in the shaft. Other articles may be created for a
variety of purposes. This shaft is made to go at the owner's will. There
is only one way to live in this world and that is according to the will of
God and for His glory.
It matters little where I was born, Or if my parents were rich or poor;
Whether they shrank from the cold world's scorn, Or walked in the
pride of wealth secure; But whether I live a surrendered man, And hold
my integrity firm in my clutch, I tell you, my brother, as plain as I can,
It matters much!
It matters little where be my grave, Or on the land or on the sea. By
purling brook, or 'neath stormy wave, It matters little or nought to me;
But whether the angel of death comes down And marks my brow with
his loving touch, And one that shall wear the victor's crown, It matters
much!
There is also in this picture of the shaft the thought of directed motion.
The aim is everything. The arrow cannot aim itself. There is no such
thing as an aimless life. Our energies are either