The Chimney Sweeper

In the last line of “The Chimney Sweeper” under the Songs of Innocence, Blake says “So if all do their duty, they need not fear harm.” This line really jumped off the page at me. It reminds me of 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, which says, “And to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.” It also goes along with that old saying, “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop.” If you keep to your work, you will not end up in places you shouldn’t be in and in situations that might land you somewhere you don’t want to be. Also, a Christian’s duty is to show the love and grace of God, which is not always received well and may place him/her in harm. If we cling to God, though, there is nothing to fear. He is our refuge.

I commented on Francesca Garcia's post.