“I’d Rather Burn out That Rust out” is not some cute “cliche”, but a quote (fully endorsed by the life that he lived) made by Smith Wigglesworth (1859-1947*).
Jesus made a similar comment about John the Baptist (John 5:35). Only those willing to burn can ever give off a brilliant light.
John Wesley (1703-1791*) traveled over 250 miles a day for 40 years. He preached more than 40,000 sermons. He produced 400 books and he learned ten languages to help spread the Gospel. When he was in his eighties, he was annoyed that he could not write more than 15 hours a day without hurting his eyes, ashamed he could not preach more than twice a day, and complained in his diary that there was a slight tendency to lie in bed until 5:30 in the morning! God used John Wesley to make a dramatic impact on the United States. He was not “burned-out” but “burned-up” as a holy firebrand of God (Zec 3:2).
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smith_Wigglesworth – “British evangelist who was important in the early history of pentecostalism”
* http://www.smithwigglesworth.com/
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Wesley
