"This life is not to be valued but as it yields opportunities to glorify God. We are not sent into the world to live for ourselves, but for God. If we could make ourselves, then we could live for ourselves....But God made us for himself, and sent us into the world for himself. It is not our duty to glorify God in heaven only, but also here on earth in the midst of difficulties and temptations. No one is sent into the world to be idle, or to bring forth fruit to themselves, but God's glory must be our chief work and aim while we are here upon earth."
~ Thomas Manton 1620-1677