There is no greater opportunity for spiritual happiness and growth, and no better way to scatter the flowers of loving service, than is to be found in the practical application of Christian Science. To know what is expected from us in the great field of labor, to be willing to give deep scrutiny to the quality of our thoughts and deeds, enables us to conform to the laws of God, thereby hastening the time of harvest, not only for ourselves but for all mankind. From the Bible we may gain innumerable helpful lessons which will awaken us to high ideals and standards, thus making the indulgence in so-called sensuous ease less and less possible. The following are a few gleanings, as applied to the subject of service, which the writer has found helpful.
From events in the life of Joseph, as related in the Scriptures, it is evident that he early received the inspiration and understanding that the greatest happiness and privilege of human existence is to be found in the activity of serving others. Having this viewpoint, he did not hesitate to tell his brothers of his dreams. In one of them he saw the sheaves of his brothers surrounding and making obeisance to his sheaf. Had the brothers been as spiritually-minded as he, they would not have been antagonized, but would have been willing to profit by the wisdom of the purer-minded Joseph. They would have seen that, as heads of families and in general activity, they in turn might become the center of other circles of sheaves.
But, actuated by jealousy, the brothers divested Joseph of his "coat of many colours." put him into a pit. and sold him into slavery. In a iter years, the brothers could take no credit for having pushed Joseph into a king's palace! If Joseph had held to his bosom, with vengeance and self-pity, the indignities heaped upon him, and had built his career upon a belief in his wrongs instead of his rights as a spiritual child of a perfect God, he would never have gone from the pit to the most exalted position of service his time afforded: he became able to serve, not only his brothers in their need, but all Egypt. The tenderness which Joseph manifested to his family showed that his attitude in service was selfless and free of arrogance, approaching the heavenly understanding of our beloved Way-shower, Christ Jesus, who said, "Whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all."
