Daily Devotion

“I felt the setting sun approaching behind me, while the wilderness ahead remained vast. We cannot wait until all conditions are perfect before setting out, for then we will only meet the Lord with gray hair and unfinished regrets. Even if our lamp oil is limited, we must illuminate this path before it runs out, so that those who follow will not have to grope in the dark.”

William Milne · Farewell letter

Scripture

John 9:4 As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me; but night is coming when no one can work.

Reflection

Milne's "sunset feeling" is a powerful deterrent against mediocrity and procrastination. We often use "conditions not being ripe" as an excuse to delay our mission, but Milne, even as his life's flame extinguished, chose to burn his last bit of "oil." He understood that the value of service lies not in seeing the project completed, but in whether, along his own journey, he has lit a lamp for those who follow. Perfectionism is often the enemy of submission. We don't have to wait until we're old and gray to make up for our regrets; we should do our utmost today to illuminate the path ahead.