It is a beautiful privelege to work along with Christ, but we shall not serve in that
blessed apprenticeship long without learning this lesson: that He has no pleasure
in service rendered to Himself or others that does not cost us blood! This is
characteristic of His own service to the world, and you will fint that He will soon drop out
unless you are prepared, in your measure, to surrender yourself to the blood-letting,
which alone counts in the service of humanity.

As we look out on society today, we can understand why so many lives
are unhappy. They have never learned that the one secret of happiness is to give to
the point of self-denial and self-sacrifice. As Philips Brooks has put it, "They need
something to happen which shall force them out on the open ocean of complete
self-sacrifice. If only a slow quite tide or a furious storm would come and break
every rope that binds them to the wooden wharves of their own interests
and carry them clear out to sea! The soul that trifles and toys with self-sacrifice
can achieve neither it's true joy nor power. Only the soul that gives itself
up forever to the life of others can know the delight and peace which surrender
gives."

This trace of blood in our actions is a matter that we can never talk about. When
it is being shed, we must anoint our head and wash our face, that men may have no
inkling of what is happening. Neither the right hand nor the left hand must know,
nor divulge the secret. It should be remembered, also, that we have no right to
deprive wife or child of whatever is necessary. It must be a personal act,
affecting no one but yourself. You must be the one who gives the blood, not they!
Keep happy and keep smilling! When Jesus was performing this miracle, there was no
strain or effort, no wrinkle on His forehead, no cloud upon His smile. He drew no
attention to Himself, needed no thanks, and stole away unrecognized,
at least for the moment, as the Giver.

Of course, there is no merit in such actions. The blood we shed cannot atone,
cannot save, cannot cleanse. Only His blood can do that. But also, it is
true that the great soul winner of the world would have faced the blood of
martyrdom and counted not their lives dear unto themselves.

Taken From: Five "Musts" Of The Christian Live (Fellowship With Christ In Service)
Author: F. B. Meyer