Joy in Jesus is the secret

Several years ago June and I heard rumors about a Salvation Army work that was in serious trouble. I said to my Salvation Army colleagues, “I pity the poor slob that ends up having to take care of that horrible situation.” A phone call then came from the divisional commander and I discovered that I was the poor slob selected for the task.

Three years later rumors drifted around about a tragic incident that had taken place on a faraway island in Micronesia. I said to my Salvation Army colleagues, “I pity the poor slob that ends up having to take care of that horrible situation.” After boarding a plane to fly to spot in the Pacific Ocean that you have to use a magnifying glass to find on a map, I decided not to pity poor slobs anymore. Once on the tropical island, June and I started to adapt to living in a foreign country, overseeing corps programs in four different languages, seeking to resolve employee conflicts, dealing with two horrific scandals, and getting used to continually sweating like Niagara Falls. A cholera epidemic was thrown in just to make life interesting.

During that time I listened repeatedly to a recording of J. S. Bach’s organ chorale prelude on the hymn “In Thee is gladness, amidst all sadness, Jesus, sunshine of my heart.” On an isolated Pacific island I learned that joy in Jesus is the secret of facing life’s problems.

“Joy to the World! the Lord is Come.”

Major Scott Nicloy

Salvation Army