Imitating Christ - #56: On The Religious Life

It is good, therefore, often to remember that you entered religious life to serve and not to be served, and that you are called to suffer and to work, no to waste your time in idleness and gossip.  In religous life you are meant to be tried as gold in a furnace and you will not last long unless with all your heart you are ready to humble yourself for the love of God.  - Thomas a Kempis