Exchanged Life Spirituality

When I consider how my light is spent
Ere half my days in this dark world and wide,
And that one talent which is death to hide
Lodg'd with me useless, though my soul more bent
To serve therewith my Maker, and present
My true account, lest he returning chide,
"Doth God exact day-labour, light denied?"
I fondly ask. But Patience, to prevent
That murmur, soon replies: "God doth not need
Either man's work or his own gifts: who best
Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best. His state
Is kingly; thousands at his bidding speed
And post o'er land and ocean without rest:
They also serve who only stand and wait."
- John Milton, “On His Blindness”

Milton_dictating_Paradise_Lost_to_his_daughters_by_Delacroix

If you’ve taken a high school or college British literature class, you’ve probably heard of John Milton. This seventeenth-century poet composed two of the most famous epic poems in the English language: Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained, which relate Adam and Eve’s introduction of sin into the human story, followed by Christ’s redemptive victory over that sin.

Milton’s achievements are all the more impressive when one takes into account that by the time he crafted these works, he was blind. His blindness was so advanced that he would compose his poetry but then had to rely on others to write down the words he dictated.

The sonnet “On His Blindness” reveals some of Milton’s struggle to come to terms with the loss of his vision. Milton begins with a difficult question, one that the biblical Job would have understood well: Why would God give such wonderful talents with which to serve him, only to take them away? Clearly, Milton was deeply gifted. More importantly, he was passionate about using his gifts to bring glory to God. So how could God expect service if Milton could no longer see—physically, but also metaphorically—how to use those gifts?

The second half of the sonnet offers a profound answer: Milton’s service was not the point. Milton’s poetic talent, and his use of that talent, were not the point. “God doth not need / Either man’s work or his own gifts”—rather, God looks for hearts that are willing to serve him whether or not things make sense. The King of Kings has vast resources at his disposal to accomplish whatever he wants. Action is not what he most desires from us. He wants our hearts, our love and trust, and our full abandonment to his will—even when that will looks counterproductive to our finite eyes. Whether we go on to write one of the greatest poems of all time, or our service remains hidden until Christ’s return, we, too, can serve if we also take the time to “stand and wait” for whatever and wherever he leads.

Exchanged Audio & Video

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Reflections to Consider

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Exchanged Publications

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Publications

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Music

  • Jesus be the centre

    Center is a song that speaks of the essence of our life in Christ, and echoes the words the Christ Read More
  • I Lift My Hands

    A powerful hymn of adoration and praise Arkansas Gospel Mass Choir. This succinctly captures the joy of knowing our savior. Read More
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Exchanged Reflection

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Exchanged Music

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Audio & Video

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Favorites

  • Freedom of Simplicity, Richard Foster +

    In Freedom of Simplicity Foster gently encourages us to see that our identity, our sense of comfort and security must Read More
  • Celebration of Discipline, Richard Foster +

    The Path to Spiritual Growth The book on spiritual disciplines. Read More
  • Spiritual Classics, Richard Foster and Emilie Griffiin +

    Selected Readings for Individuals and Groups on the Twelve Spiritual Disciplines Good collection of essays, saints throughout the ages. A Read More
  • Prayer by Richard Foster +

    A prayer Richard Foster uses when beginning a time of contemplation: By the authority of Almighty God, I surround myself Read More
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Hidden Blessings

  • God's Love For Us +

    The well of love God has for us is deeper than our imaginations can grasp-- Read More
  • Truth versus Deceit +

    As stated countless times throughout the Bible, God is pure–God is truth. Read More
  • Psalm 136: Everlasting Love, Mercy & Faithfulness +

    The repeating refrain in this psalm has been translated as love, mercy, and faithfulness. Read More
  • God's Mission: To Bless All Nations +

    From the beginning God’s desire is to be with us–in our presence. Read More
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