The mark of Christianity is not an outward sign; it does not consist of wearing a cross or a crown, but rather in everything that reveals humanity's union with God. Through the power of His grace, manifested in the transformation of character, the world will be convinced that God sent His Son as Redeemer. No influence that can surround the soul has more power than that of a selfless life. The strongest argument for the gospel is a Christian who knows how to love and is lovable. To live such a life, to exert such an influence, requires, at every step, effort, self-denial, and discipline. It is because they do not understand this that many so easily become discouraged in the Christian life. Many who sincerely consecrate their lives to God's service are surprised and disillusioned to find themselves, as never before, surrounded by obstacles and beset by trials and perplexities. They pray for their character to resemble Christ's and for them to become fit for the Lord's work, yet they are placed in circumstances that seem to provoke all the malice of their nature. It is precisely because God leads them that these things happen to them. Trials and obstacles are the methods of discipline chosen by the Lord and the conditions for success that He presents to us. He, who reads the hearts of humanity, knows their character better than they do themselves. He sees that some have faculties and possibilities which, if rightly directed, could be employed in the advancement of His work. In His providence, God has placed these individuals in different situations and varied circumstances so that they may discover, in their character, flaws that were hidden from themselves. He gives them the opportunity to correct such flaws and to become fit to serve Him. He sometimes allows the fire of affliction to assail them, so that they may be purified. The fact that we are called to endure trial shows that the Lord Jesus sees something precious in us that He desires to develop. If He saw nothing in us that could glorify His name, He would not waste time refining us. He does not cast worthless stones into His furnace. It is the precious ore that He refines. The blacksmith puts iron and steel into the fire to test the quality of the metals. The Lord allows His chosen ones to be placed in the furnace of affliction to test their temper and see if they can be shaped for His work. The potter takes the clay and molds it as he pleases. He kneads it and works it. He divides it and puts it back together. He moistens it and then dries it. He then leaves it untouched for some time. When it is perfectly pliable, he proceeds with the task of making a vessel from it. He molds it into a shape, and smooths and polishes it all around. He dries it in the sun and bakes it in the oven. It then becomes a vessel fit for service. In the same way, the Supreme Artist desires to mold and shape us. And as the clay is in the potter's hands, so are we in His hands. Let us not try to do the potter's work; it is simply our part to allow ourselves to be shaped by the Supreme Craftsman. Many are dissatisfied with their profession. They may find themselves in an incompatible environment; their time is occupied with mundane work, when they believe they would be competent for higher responsibilities; sometimes their efforts seem unappreciated or sterile; and the future appears uncertain to them. Let us remember that our work, even if we did not choose it, should be accepted as having been chosen by God for us. Whether it is pleasant or not, we have an obligation to fulfill the duty that presents itself to us. “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.” Ecclesiastes 9:10. If the Lord desires us to take a message to Nineveh, it will not please Him for us to go to Joppa or Capernaum. He has reasons for sending us where our steps have been directed. Perhaps there was someone there in need of the help we could provide. He who sent Philip to the Ethiopian minister, Peter to the Roman centurion, and the Israelite girl to aid Naaman, the Syrian captain, today sends men, women, and youth as His representatives to those who are in need of divine help and guidance.The Ministry of Healing (condensed), pp. 208–210.