The miracles of Jesus - Classical Christian Literature by Athleo.net

366 BLIND BARTIMjEUS
qualities, spiritual excellencies, Christ-like attainments.
If every wish were gratified, they would be
ripe for glory any day.
But their wishes come and go,
They heave
like the guests of an inn, always changing.
a passing sigh as they look at a beautiful life, and
say, Ah, I wish I could be like that ;
and there is an
end of it. The place which is nameless is paved
with the good resolutions of those who are continually
wishing and never striving to win. It is only fairies
that come when wishes call them. God holds Himself
back until the wish becomes a mighty determination,
an earnest struggle to attain. Then He says :
14
Be it unto thee according to thy faith." There is
not a besetting sin which you may not overcome
;
there is
not an evil spirit in you, however strong and
terrible, which you cannot get driven out of you, if
you go about it with a fixed unalterable purpose.
Every one of you can be a good man or woman, if we
think it worth the effort, and if you do not give up
the climb after the first fall or two. There is a
possible saint in every man, but it takes sustained
labour and prayer to hew and carve it
into shape out
of the rough quarry in which it lies hidden. You can
live the Christian life, though it is not easy ; but it
will require at least as much continued thought and
energy as you give to the making of your business.
What do you long for most, and set your hearts upon
with greatest intensity That is the question that
God asks. "What wilt thou" If you would win
Christ-like character, a noble manhood, patience,
purity, self-masterhood, beauty of soul, you must
count it the thing best worth winning, and strive for
it as the runner in the race strives to reach the goal.