{"id":2452,"date":"2012-06-27T19:56:12","date_gmt":"2012-06-27T19:56:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/christcommunitychurch.com\/blog\/?p=2452"},"modified":"2012-06-27T19:56:12","modified_gmt":"2012-06-27T19:56:12","slug":"john-milton-and-the-texas-longhorn-qb","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/christcommunitychurch.com\/blog\/2012\/06\/27\/john-milton-and-the-texas-longhorn-qb\/","title":{"rendered":"John Milton and the Texas Longhorn QB"},"content":{"rendered":"

A few weeks ago in a sermon I mentioned a story of a Texas QB whose worst day was his best day<\/a>. \u00a0The point was that God can be mightily at work during times when we feel the most “down”. \u00a0Stephen Addcox told me the principle of God working in our darkness reminded him of a poem by Milton. \u00a0Then he (Stephen, not Milton) sent me this:<\/p>\n

From a very young age John Milton was convinced that he would one day write a
\ngreat epic poem. He was mostly involved in politics until he went
\nblind, and as you can imagine, it’s not easy to write in 17th c.
\nEngland when you’re completely blind. Ultimately he composed the
\nentirety of Paradise Lost in sections that he would memorize and then
\nrecite to a transcriptionist. But before that he despaired that God
\nhad robbed him of the opportunity for greatness; this poem is an
\nexpression of his doubt and struggle with his blindness.<\/p>\n

Patience here is personified as a voice speaking to Milton’s
\ndistress.<\/p>\n

“On his blindness”<\/strong><\/p>\n

When I consider how my light is spent,
\nEre\u00a0half\u00a0my days in this dark world and wide,
\nAnd that one talent which is death to hide
\nLodged with me useless, though my soul more bent
\nTo serve therewith my Maker, and present
\nMy true account, lest He returning chide,
\n‘Doth God exact day-labour, light denied?’
\nI fondly ask. \u00a0But patience, to prevent
\nThat murmur, soon replies, ‘God doth not need
\nEither man’s work or his own gifts. Who best
\nBear his mild yoke, they serve him best. \u00a0His state
\nIs kingly: thousands at his bidding speed,
\nAnd post o’er land and ocean without rest;
\nThey also serve who only stand and wait.’<\/p>\n