A young man was saved at an early age and later dedicated his life to be used for the Lord. In course of time he went to college and while there he discovered he had a gift as an artist and he gave himself over wholeheartedly to this endeavor, forgetting the work of the Lord. He certainly painted wonderful pictures. But towards the close of his life he saw in a dream how all his friends had gathered together and decided to rent a hall to have an exhibition of his works of art. He saw himself walking down the hall admiring the wonderful picture he had painted when suddenly he noticed the hall was on fire. Just in time he saw an exit and was able to escape with his life before the whole building was a burning mass. The work of a lifetime was burnt up in a moment of time! Now with life almost over he remembered that early dedication to the Lord's service, realizing that his life had been spent doing something that was only for time. He had done nothing that was going to last.

There is a verse in James 4:14 which says, "What is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." Have you ever pondered this to realize what it means? Both Abraham and Lot set out together with the same opportunities, but Lot wasted his opportunities and chances. They came to the place where a choice must be made. Lot's thoughts were on temporal things and he chose things which could be seen. Abraham had the faith that could let God choose for him, so he gave Lot first choice. Each one of us has to look beyond the things of time and reach that place of self denial. God desires all of us to come to an end of self so that He can use us in His service.

We can see from Acts 13:2 how the apostle Paul is ready for the Holy Spirit to work in him and with him. There is nothing of self governing him, and the Lord separates him for this work. He is ready to go. And then we come to chapter 16 and find that he sees the vision of the man of Macedonia in all his need and he hears the call, "Come over into Macedonia and help us" (v. 10). How thankful we ought to be that the apostle Paul saw that vision, because as a result of it the gospel came to Europe and to us.

Jesus says in Matthew 9:37,38, "The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth labourers into His harvest." I would like you, dear reader, to see a vision of the need of this world and reach that place where you are prepared to say, "Here am I, send me" (Isa. 6:8). It does not necessarily mean that the Lord is going to send you as a missionary to a foreign land. It might be to your next door neighbor. The point that you have to reach is that you are willing to say, "Here am I, send me." May you have a vision of the harvest field of the world and, like the apostle Paul, be willing and ready to become a laborer there for the Lord of the harvest. Paul went, and because he went, God was glorified in the harvesting of souls.

—S.M.