I’ve been reading a book called Charles Spurgeon, The Great Orator by J.C. Carlile. Something I read last night stayed with me all day today and I wanted to continue to remember it. In recounting Spurgeon’s education, a cook is mentioned who had great influence on him.
“During this time he was influenced greatly by a saintly woman named Mary King, the cook and general servant in the household. This book, sturdy soul took an interest in the new tutor and, in the course of their frequent conversations, found him “well disposed toward Godliness.” It is to the great man’s credit that he should receive some of his Calvinism from the humblest sources. Later, in his first published book The Saint and His Saviour, Spurgeon says this woman provided him with “all the theology I ever needed.” She was a strict Baptist. In the future hard times, Spurgeon gave her a weekly allowance.”
I just love this little insight into Spurgeon’s life. I love how God’s light shines not only from the highest places but also from the humblest. It is easy to think that one has to be great according to the world’s standards in order to be influential and make an impact, but this little tidbit reminds me that we are only influential when we are great according to God’s standards and he places each of us strategically according to his will.
