A. B. Simpson

“It is possible for you to be much used of God as an instrument in His hand, and yet never know the fellowship of His heart. It is possible for you to do much splendid work for God, and leave behind a record of flaming zeal, and yet in the crumble of His analysis there may be but a trace of love or holiness. It is possible for you to be a master workman in His temple, and yet never know what it is to dwell with Him in the secret place of the Most High. It is possible for you to make a great stir in your religious zeal and your busy, bustling work, and yet you be a mere imitation and an empty counterfeit. 

A gentleman once constructed an automatic bee, made altogether of brass and wire and mechanical and electrical contrivances. He put it on a table, and it buzzed and buzzed like a real bee so that the bystanders shrank away for fear of its possible sting. He challenged anyone to detect the difference between his and the real insect. Another gentleman took up his challenge and brought a genuine bee. For a little while both buzzed around and looked just alike. Then the gentleman put a little honey in the center of the table and waited. Soon the real bee was busy at the honey. He was not buzzing so much, but he was loading his vessels with the precious sweetness and carrying it away to be used for others, while the first bee still buzzed and buzzed, making more noise, but no honey.

Ah, this is the test. You may buzz in your restless, driving life, and call it Christian work, but it may be little better for you at last than the trade of the politician. The true test is to know God, to find His heart, to drink the sweetness of His love, and then to carry it to others, often unrecognized, unrequited by the age, but finding it joy enough to know Him and help His children.”