A Christian leader writes: ‘Oliver Goldsmith was born the son of a poor preacher in Ireland in the 1700s. Growing up, he wasn’t a great student. In fact, his schoolmaster labelled him a “stupid blockhead”. He did manage to earn a [university] degree, but he finished at the bottom of his class. He was unsure of what he wanted to do. At first he tried to become a preacher, but it didn’t suit him…Next he tried law but failed at it. He then settled on medicine, but he was an indifferent doctor…not passionate about his profession.

'He was able to hold several posts only temporarily. Goldsmith lived in poverty, was often ill, and once even had to pawn his clothes to buy food. It looked like he would never find his way. But then he discovered an interest and aptitude for writing and translating. At first, he worked as a Fleet Street reviewer and writer. But then he began to write works that came out of his own interests. He secured his reputation as a novelist with The Vicar of Wakefield, a poet with “The Deserted Village”, and a playwright with She Stoops to Conquer.’

Goldsmith’s story sounds a lot like the psalmist David’s – and maybe yours too: ‘Many are they who say of me, “There is no help for him in God.” But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head’ (vv. 2-3 NKJV). You may be down today, but God will lift you up if you turn to Him for guidance and cooperate with His plan for your life.