They also serve who only stand and wait.

I was recently writing on the subject of good and evil and quoted a few lines from John Milton's Paradise Lost.

Śrīla Śrīdhar Mahārāja was quite erudite and knew Milton's work.  He often quoted from Paradise Lost, especially the part where Satan expresses his rebellion in the lines:



Here at least
we shall be free; the Almighty hath not built
Here for his envy, will not drive us hence:
Here we may reign secure, and in my choice
to reign is worth ambition though in Hell:
Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heaven.

He knew many of the English poets. One of Śrīdhar Maharaj's favorite poems was Milton's Sonnet on his Blindness and the line: "Doth God demand day labour, light denied?"

Sometimes we wait for service. Waiting is another kind of service, as Milton says in the last line.

Sonnet 19: When I consider how my light is spent

BY JOHN MILTON

When I consider how my light is spent, 

   Ere half my days, in this dark world and wide, 

   And that one Talent which is death to hide 

   Lodged with me useless, though my Soul more bent 

To serve therewith my Maker, and present 

   My true account, lest he returning chide; 

   “Doth God exact day-labour, light denied?” 

   I fondly ask. But patience, to prevent 

That murmur, soon replies, “God doth not need 

   Either man’s work or his own gifts; who best 

   Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best. His state 

Is Kingly. Thousands at his bidding speed 

   And post o’er Land and Ocean without rest: 

   They also serve who only stand and wait.”

Milton's reference here is to his amanuensis, his daughter. In his blindness he would write by dictating to his daughter.  His writing was his "day labour, light denied." His scribe was obliged to "stand and wait" his dictation, which depended on Milton's inspiration. But to "stand and wait" was also service.  So, some of us await patiently the opportunity to render some valuable service, but  the expectation of service is also a kind of service, according to Milton.