Luke 19:13

A MOTTO FOR LIFE

‘Occupy till I come.’

Luke 19:13

The words have a threefold course: A constant, daily, life-long work; a sweet end, when that work is done; and the highest and most loving motive which can ever influence the heart of man: ‘Occupy till I come.’

A man, who wishes to be ‘occupied,’ must be first careful of this—that his life is not pre-occupied.

I. Get rid of pre-occupation.—The great hindrance to religion is a pre-occupied mind: affections already given, ends already fixed, life already determined. You must get rid of pre-occupation. There must be a disengaged heart, a very open, up-prejudiced, unbiased mind.

II. Realise your true position.—That done, the next thing to secure an ‘occupied’ life is to study and recognise the real position which you hold in the world, where you stand, what you are setting up for, in what relationship you are placed, what are, characteristically, your proper duties, and what you have to do those duties with. This is a matter which every man should solemnly settle for himself before God this day: ‘What is my place in God’s great household? Where am I in the graduated, ordered system of all creation? What part is assigned to me? What is my work?’

III. Appreciate little things.—This, once denned, it will be easier to go into details. The essence of ‘occupation’—the secret of business—lies in the appreciation and right management of little things. The year is made up of moments, of which it has been said, that ‘it is the only thing which God gives charily, for He never gives a second till He has taken away the first; and He never promises a third.’ Therefore ‘occupy’ moments. Time is the platform of life. Time is the circumference of action. And time is not years, not days, not hours— moments!

IV. Above all, ‘occupy’ Christ—as a man occupies his own home. Live in the very wounds of Jesus—in the very heart of Jesus. Appropriate the promises. Have the hand upon the Cross. Make all your Saviour yours. ‘Occupy’ Christ.

Rev. James Vaughan.

Illustration

‘When He comes, it will be joy to have something to lay at His feet, and it will make another note of praise, to the eternal glory of His grace. While He was so “occupied” for you within the veil, you too, in your measure, were “occupied” for Him; and when you “see the King in His beauty,” He will deign to accept, and own, even that poor, sin-stained offering of your “occupied” love.’