Sermon Central
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Making Service A Joy
Contributed by David Parks on Sep 2, 2011 (message contributor)
MAKING SERVICE A JOY
An amusing story was told to me by the manager of a New York hotel. The great Paderewski occupied a suite there a number of years ago during one of his seasons at Carnegie Hall. It was the master’s custom to practice for a couple of hours every morning on the magnificent instrument that he had brought with him.
On the third morning of his stay an angry lady stormed into the manager’s office and said, “Someone is hammering on an old tin can piano every morning across the corridor from me. This is the third day. It is driving me mad, and unless you stop it I shall leave immediately.”
The astonished manager remonstrated, "But madam, that is Paderewski himself!"
The lady nearly fainted with surprise and said, "Paderewski! Oh, that’s different. Of course I had not the slightest idea. I adore good music. I am an excellent musician myself. Please say nothing at all about it." The hotel man was much amused to note that thereafter, for the remainder of Paderewski’s stay, the good woman kept the door of her apartment wide open and entertained a party of friends there every morning while he practiced.
What was the difference? The room? The hotel? The music? No! The only thing that changed was the woman’s attitude. Before, she was irritated and annoyed; now, she was thrilled.
Often our own attitude needs some serious readjustment. The next time you are tempted to complain about your service to the Lord, stop and think about whom you are serving. What a privilege it is to know Jesus and to be His coworker. A love for the Lord takes the dead weight out of service and puts wings to it. Love makes serving Christ much easier.
Psalms 16:11 "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." The great Redeemer! What a privilege to be close to Him!
(Source: Find and Use Your Inner Power By Emmet Fox p. 174)
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