Recently I was researching a pastor and author who ministered during the mid-1700’s. One piece of his work had impressed me, so I went in search of more such substantive material from him. Alas, I was left wanting.

One biographer wrote, “We willingly and with sense of relief leave unstirred the small thick dust of oblivion that has gathered on his controversial writings…”

The biographer continued: Though “a flame of genuine devoutness burned” in him, he was “impulsive, rash-spoken, reckless in misjudgment” and “lacked the breadth of the divine Master’s watchword, ‘Forbid him not, for he that is not against us is for us’ (Luke 9:50).”

Imagine this being your legacy! What if your “flame of genuine devoutness” were nullified and set aside on account of your impulsive, rash, reckless words?

Lord, keep me from defaming You and harming Your sheep by being impulsive, rash-spoken, or reckless in judgment. Save me from labors that will be best left in the dust of oblivion.