| The Ministry of Comfort |
Chapter 19 |
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The powered to hear what nature’s voices have to say is in the heart, not merely in the ear. We must have the beauty in our soul before we can see beauty anywhere. Hence there are many who are really blind to the loveliness which God has strewn everywhere, with most lavish hand, in His works. So we must have the music in our heart before we can hear the music which sings everywhere for Him who has ears to hear. If we have thanksgiving within us, we will have no trouble in finding gladness wherever we go. It is a sad and cheerless heart that makes the world dreary to certain people; if only they would let joy enter to dwell within, a new world would be created for them. There is a legend of a wonderful bell which rings in heaven, and whose sweet tones only those can hear whose hearts are pure and gentle.
“It is said somewhere, at twilight
A great bell softly swings,
And a man may listen and hearken
To the wondrous music that rings.
“If he puts from his heart’s inner chamber
All the passion, pain, and strife,
Heartache and weary longing
That throbs in the pulses of life;
“If he thrusts form his soul all hatred,
All thoughts of wicked things,
He can hear in the holy twilight
How the bell of the angels rings.”
If we allow our heart to cherish unlovingness, bitterness, evil thoughts and feelings, we cannot hear the music of love which breathes everywhere, pouring out from the heart of God. But if we keep our heart gentle, patient, lowly, and kind, on our ears will fall, wherever we go, sweet strains of divine music, out of heaven.
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