“They do not push one another; Every one marches in his own column” (Joel 2:8)

When they swarm, locusts always keep in regimented order, and although they can number in the billions, they don’t crowd each other, so as to throw their columns into confusion. This remarkable fact shows how thoroughly the Lord has infused the spirit of order into His universe, since the smallest living creatures are as much controlled by it as the orbits of the planets.

Saints should be ruled by the same influence in their spiritual life. They shouldn’t allow one duty to minimize another, or sacrifice one moral obligation over another. Affection mustn’t prevent the saint from telling the truth, courage mustn’t cause the saint to be rude to the weak, modesty mustn’t stop the saint from asserting himself when it’s needed, and patience mustn’t prevent him from intervening before it’s too late.

Church work mustn’t be done at the expense of family. Don’t offer God one duty stained with the blood of another. Each thing is beautiful in its season, as long as it’s kept in balance. Christ said to the Pharisee, “These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone” (Matthew 23:23). The same rule applies to work within the Church. We must minister only in the areas the Holy Spirit has given us grace, without intruding into another servant's domain. Our Lord Jesus taught us not to covet the high places, but be willing to be the least among the brethren.

“Walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:1-3).