Effect of the Inward on the Outward
“When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee its strength.” — Genesis iv. 12.
The words were spoken to Cain after he had lost his joy. What connection was there between his sadness and the soil’s barrenness? It is not said that the soil would become barren. The words are, “It shall not yield to thee its strength.’* That really means, “You shall not yield your strength to it.” When a man falls in spirits, he declines in power of work. The soil was exactly what it was before; but Cain was not what he was before. The work which yesterday was easy had to-day become difficult because the mind of the worker was oppressed with care. The deepest changes in outward things are changes in us. There
o 2 is no such thing as a refreshment-room in nature; there are not certain articles which are warranted to stimulate. The stimulative quality of nature’s articles depends on the state of the mind. Many a physical impression which was a pleasure yesterday becomes a pain to-day. Nobody revels more in wood and field than the happy lover; but the lover unh.a,pipy is offended by that which once made him glad, and cries: —
“Ye banks and braes o’ bonnie Doon, How can ye bloom so fresh and fair!”
It is not that the object has lost its beauty; it is the beauty itself that has palled; less loveliness would be more pleasing. The song which thrilled me in life’s morning smites me in life’s afternoon. It was the beauty that thrilled; it is t?ie” beauty that smites. That which makes the difference is in me; I have exchanged the bowers of hope for the wastes of memory. The ancient bird is warbling in a new sky, and the vanished sky makes me sad.
My soul, thy rainbow must be renewed from within. It has no need of renewal in the heavens; these declare the glory of God as much as they ever did. It is in thee that the flood has come; it is to thee that the promise must be given. If there be a bright colour in thy heart, the old colours in the sky may remain. Hast thou thought of that night when the disciples toiled and caught nothing. After long hours of useless labour, they resolved to go home. Suddenly, a voice said, “Try again!” It was the voi<:e of Jesus. Was there any reason they should try again? Outwardly, none. It was the same sea, the same net, the same boat; what made the difference? A new colour in the heart — Jesus was there. It was not so much because Jesus commanded as because Jesus was there; it was His presence made them win. Hast thou failed on life’s sea; try again — with Jesus! There may be nothing else to bid thee try. The night may be as dark, the waves may be as high, the boat may be as frail; but try again — with Jesus! Try by a new light — an inner light! Try by the light of happiness; try by the glimmer of gladness; try by the lamp of a heart at rest! The most stormy sea may be glassy when the harpers make music thereon.