die to self

"On the last evening of his life George Whitefield started to mount the stairs of the Presbyterian manse at Newburyport, Massachusetts. Though but fifty-five, he was tired and weak, utterly worn out from his lifetime of evangelistic labours, and for days he had been so infirm that he ought not to have left his bed.
But as he ascended the stairs people came pressing in at the door, begging to hear the Gospel form his lips once more. In response he paused and began to preach. There he stood, candle in hand, and such was his zeal that he spoke on, heedless of the passing of time, till the candle finally flickered, burned itself out in its socket and died away."

Taken from "George Whitefield" by Arnold Dallimore c.1970 Bath Press

Do you see in those words the dedication of this man's life to the truth? This was the last night of his life, no doubt he was as sick and weak as can be imagined. Yet he preached on and on into the night, oblivious of his ailments or of the clock. So full of desire to see men come to knowledge of the truth.
When I read those words immediate conviction came to my lazy heart. How many times have I neglected studying or presenting truth because I was tired or sick or out of sorts? May we learn from this man greatly used by God that if one wants to be great in God's kingdom, he must be slave and servant on earth to all. Serving the greatest gift ever given - Truth - to men.