If I allow my work to get between my heart and the Master, it will be worth little. We can only effectually serve Christ as we are enjoying Him. It is while the heart dwells upon His person that the hands perform the most acceptable service to His name. None can minister Christ with power and freshness to others, if he is not feeding upon Christ for his own soul. Though he preach sermons, deliver lectures, utter prayers, write a book going through the entire routine of outward service if not occupied with Christ for himself, he will not minister Christ to others.
Happy is the man who ministers thus, whatever be the reception of his ministry. Should his ministry fail to attract attention or produce apparent results, he has not lost his sweet portion in Christ. But the man who is merely feeding upon the fruits of his ministry or delighting in the gratification and attention which it affords is nothing more than a mere pipe, conveying water to others and retaining only rust for itself. This is a sad condition to be in, and yet it is the condition of every servant who is more occupied with his work and its results than with the Master and His glory.
C. H. Mackintosh (adapted from Notes on the Pentateuch Exodus)