| The Joy of Service |
Chapter 2 |
Page 2 |
Christians should have joy. But Christian joy is not happiness, as the world understands that word. Happiness is on the surface. It depends upon things that happen, and is easily disturbed. During a great battle the soldier noticed, perched on a tree, a bird which sang whenever the roar of battle was hushed for a few moments. But when the terrific noise began again, the bird was silent. So it is with earthly happiness; it sings in the brief pauses of life’s struggles, but is silent while the strife goes on.
Christian joy, however, is too deep to be affected by this world’s occurrences. It is like those fresh water springs beside the sea, over which the brackish tides pour, but whose waters are sweet as ever when the tides recede. It is joy which the world can neither give nor take away. It lives in the heart under the bitterest sorrows, and sings its songs in the darkest nights.
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