Earnestness

"We need not fear spiritual pride in following Christ's call, if we follow it as men in earnest. Earnestness has no time to compare itself with the state of other men; earnestness has too vivid a feeling of its own infirmities to be elated at itself. Earnestness is simply set on doing God's will. It simply says, Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? Oh that we had more of this spirit! Oh that we could take that simple view of things, as to feel that the one thing which lies before us is to please God!"

- John Henry Newman (Parochial and Plain Sermons, volume 8)