The Safest Road To Hell Is The Gradual One

"Indeed the safest road to hell is the gradual one – the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts,… Your affectionate uncle, Screwtape.”  C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters

Habits are extremely important.  They are also frustrating.  Experts say that it generally takes between two and three months to establish a habit; it takes only two consecutive days to begin to break the habit.  The devil understands this well. Thus his strategy is to gently nudge us in the wrong direction.   He knows that if we truly saw where we were headed, we would immediately turn away.  So, he just softly leads us in the wrong direction, knowing that momentum is a difficult thing to change.

He constantly feeds us the line, “this one time will not matter.”  He encourages us to think, “This one day won’t matter”, or “I will start tomorrow.”  Soon one time becomes two, two becomes three, and before we know it, the habit is established.  One day becomes two, and before we know it, a week has passed. Once that week has passed, it is so difficult to shift the momentum back in the right direction.

Aristotle said it this way, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit."  Developing good habits and being vigilant about maintaining those habits will lead to a life of excellence.

Some reading this have a bad habit they have been trying to break for a long time.  While good habits take a seemingly long time to develop, bad habits are annoyingly stubborn.  Remember too, however, experts say that two consecutive days of not doing something and the habit begins to weaken.  The old adage is, “one day at a time.” I say to you, not one day, but two.  Don’t do whatever it is for two days straight. You will notice that the bad habit has less power over you – not that it is completely gone, but it is weakening.  Then repurpose yourself to another two days. Before long, the habit will be broken.

Try also to begin to develop good habits.  You know what they are.  Set your sight on just two consecutive days, the set the goal of two more days.  Before long, you will have established a good habit. And, give yourself grace if you fail.  Do not ever believe you cannot do it.  Just take the next right step… and then take one more.

Finally, you do not have to do it alone.  In fact, often we cannot do it alone, as hard as we try. His grace is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).  He will help you and give you strength.  And other people can be a big help in keeping you accountable and encouraging you.  Do not be afraid to ask for help. 

The devil will gradually try and shift you in the wrong direction. That is why this very day matters.  Take a stand and do what is right. Change directions and shift the momentum. James put it this way, “Stand firm against the devil and he will flee from you.” James 4:7.

God Allows Us To Experience Low Points...

"God allows us to experience the low points of life in order to teach us lessons that we could learn in no other way." C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain

This is an unfortunate truth. The human heart is full of rebellion and amnesia.  As a result, the only way we can learn certain things is to experience low points in life. I know that has been true in my life.

When we are experiencing low points in life, we are tempted, whether consciously or not, to begin to doubt the goodness of God.  God does not protect us from hard times. In fact, sometimes I think God might do even more than allow hard times in our lives.  Is it herarcy to say that God actually causes hard times in our lives?  I don’t think so…because we need them.  No, God does not protect us from hard times. Rather, He protects us during hard times.

I once had a basketball coach who was much harder on me than anyone else.  He would constantly ride me,  tell me what I was doing wrong, even if it was just a small thing.  It felt so unfair because he chastised me so much more than anyone else.  I finally could not take it anymore and let him know in no uncertain terms that I did not appreciate this special attention. After practice, he pulled me aside and asked me, “Do you know why I am constantly on you?”  Before I could respond, he said, “It is because I know how good you can be.”

God wants the best for us.  God knows "how good we can be." As a result, He pays us special attention.  Unfortunately, because of the condition of our hearts, the only way we will learn certain important lessons is to go through difficult things.  Rather than viewing it as God’s chastisement or feeling like God has forgotten us, let’s acknowledge that the difficult times actually show us how much He loves us.

He has not forgotten you. He is molding you and preparing you.  As difficult as it is, we must always keep in mind that He allows things in our lives to better us, not to harm us.

Favorable Conditions Never Come

“If we let ourselves, we shall always be waiting for some distraction or other to end before we can really get down to our work.  The only people who achieve much are those who want knowledge so badly that they seek it while the conditions are still unfavorable. Favorable conditions never come.”  C.S. Lewis, "Learning in War-Time", The Weight of Glory

There is always something more “fun” to do than to “learn”.  There is always something that is seeking our attention, making it difficult to want to sit down and study.  It may be a television show, or the “to-do” list, or a phone call, or…. Those who have learned a great deal, have forced themselves to set aside time to study.

I realized, however, that the above quote can also be applied to choosing contentment and joy.  We make the mistake of believing that those who seem to always be content must have everything together in life.  Nothing is further from the truth. The truth is that people who are content or joyful are in that state because they have looked beyond the things that would make them discontent.  Everyone has painful or hurtful things present in their lives. The true art of living is being able to see grace in every situation, being able to choose joy despite pain, and to choose contentment even when our sleeves are being pulled on by situations that want to drag us to be discontent.

Paul says as much in Philippians when he writes,

“[F]or I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹² I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” (Philippians 4:11-12).

Paul learned to be content, learned to be content in every situation.  It can be learned; it is not easy, nor is it a matter of simply snapping your fingers. But it can be learned.

We will always have an excuse to not be content. As C.S. Lewis said of learning, so contentment and joy can be found in every situation to those who want it so badly that they seek it while conditions are still unfavorable.  This is not some fairy dust, pie-in-the-sky fantasy. It takes tremendous courage, self-discipline, and strength to be able to choose contentment and joy even when there are hard things in life.  This is, however, the abundant life that Christ has for us – the ability to be content and joyful always.

Are People Who Are Tempted Weak?

“A silly idea is current that good people do not know what temptation means. This is an obvious lie. Only those who try to resist temptation know how strong it is... A man who gives in to temptation after five minutes simply does not know what it would have been like an hour later. That is why bad people, in one sense, know very little about badness. They have lived a sheltered life by always giving in.”  C. S. Lewis

Jane is a 31 year old woman.  She is a Christian; she is pretty.  She has never been married. She is still a virgin. She meets a terrific guy. He is handsome, funny, and clearly is interested in her.  He makes it clear that he wants to have sex with her.

To say she is tempted is an understatement.  She wonders why she is saving herself.  No one else saves themselves for marriage anymore. She is trying to maintain hope that she will be married someday, to a Christian guy who will treat her decently. Problem is she has not found a decent Christian guy in a long time…

She is very, very tempted to give in to her new suitor.    

Sometimes, it takes immense strength to resist.  For some, it is something large like keeping your virginity, or not having another drink. For others it is the M&Ms that would easily fit in your pocket.  People who struggle understand the badness in the world.  And temptations have an amazing way of building.  You can refuse something the first time, but it stays there begging for you to give in.  It builds and builds, to the point where it takes immense strength to resist.  Yes, as C.S. Lewis says, people who fight temptation are immensely strong and courageous. 

We are tempted by our own evil desires (James 1:13-14).   Temptations are wonderfully purifying.  They show us where we are bad, where we are vulnerable.  Being tempted is not a sin; it is only sin when we give in to temptations.  Yet, temptations are vital show the condition of our heart.

How to fight temptation?  Understand two things: 

(1). Temptations are simply a shadow of true goodness.  We subconsciously (or consciously) think that giving in to the temptation will bring us happiness.  And giving in to temptation might actually provide temporary satisfaction. Yet, giving in to temptation is a poor substation for genuine, lasting happiness. Also, giving in to temptation will always eventuate in something bad.

(2).  We serve a God who is intimately familiar with every facing temptation. Hebrews says that Jesus was tempted as we are…in every way. (Hebrews 4:15).  He says that He will help us with our burdens, help us fight temptation. That is not a idle promise.  It is a comfort to know that Jesus knows how hard it is to fight temptation. Yet, we must also know that He will help us fight temptation, that is, He will help show us the way.

Do not ever think that there is something wrong with you, if you are tempted by something.  Examine what is tempting you, and allow it to reveal what is in your heart.  Count on God to give you the strength and the courage to overcome temptation.

Jane is a courageous and strong woman. She told her suitor that she was not that type of girl.  Whatever your demon, take courage from her story, and take comfort from the promise of help from Christ.  Be courageous. Be strong.

Quietly Submit To Be Painted

“Remember that He is the artist and you are only the picture.  You can’t see it. So quietly submit to be painted –i.e., keep fulfilling all the obvious duties of your station (you really know quite well enough what they are!), asking forgiveness for each failure and then leaving it alone.  You are in the right way.  Walk—don’t keep looking at it.” C.S. Lewis, The Collected Letters of C. S. Lewis, Volume 3

This quote reminds me of several other quotes.  It reminds me of the verse in Isaiah where it says, 

“But now, O LORD, You are our Father, 

We are the clay, and You our potter; 

And all of us are the work of Your hand.”

It reminds me of another C.S. Lewis when he says in essence, it is not our duty to succeed.  Finally, it reminds the saying, “Just do the next right thing.”

Perhaps you are like me, however.  I tend to forget this idea. I “work” hard to grow. And the harder I work, the more I expect results.  But that is not our job.  Our only job is to keep showing up.  We are simply along for the ride.  We will grow, if we keep showing up.  We will grow at the right rate, at the right time, for the right purpose.

Paradoxically, the Christian life is such that the harder we try to grow, the harder we “work”, the longer it takes. Yes, we need to show up.  But our job is simply to be malleable, amenable to when and how He works in our lives.  We will grow at different paces. There will be times of tremendous growth and long stretches of dryness. And our lives will rarely develop the way we hope or plan.  We save ourselves so much angst if we simply remember this and alter our expectations.

Hold on to the following truth:

[T]hat He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6.

He is painting a beautiful picture in your life…as long as you let Him.  Rest comfortably in that truth. Stop striving or fighting it.  Trust it instead.  

You Will Be Eating With Immortals This Christmas

“There are no ordinary people.  You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations – these are mortal, and their life is to our as the life of a gnat.  But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub and exploit – immortal horrors or everlasting splendors.  This does not mean that we are to be perpetually solemn.  We must play.  But our merriment must be of that kind (and it is, in fact, the merriest kind) which exists between people who have, from the outset, taken each other seriously—no flippancy, no superiority, no presumption." C.S. Lewis.

Let's face it.  Even though Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year, Christmas can also be a time when people drive us crazy.  Perhaps it is the brother who refuses to be much of a brother to you. Perhaps it is an awkward (or worse) relationship with a parent.  Maybe it is the obnoxious Uncle.

The quote above reminds us, however, that there are no ordinary people, that each person is an immortal child of God.  You will be having Christmas dinner with immortals.  It will be an immortal who gave you that...gift.  It is an immortal who will be sitting next to you in church. 

It is not always easy to see that.  My prayer is that you are able to remember that this season, when you ready to wring someone's neck.  May your celebrations this year be merry celebrations, without flippancy, superiority, or presumption.

We Meet No Ordinary People

“We meet no ordinary people in our lives.” C.S. Lewis

There are, by best estimates, currently approximately seven billion people in the world. Each person is unique; each person has a purpose; each person extraordinary. We always must watch ourselves when we begin to believe someone is ordinary. There is not a soul that exists for whom God did not sacrifice His son. Everyone has worth, not based on their abilities, intelligence, beauty, or any other reason other than the fact that each of us is made in the image of God and because God values us. We have value because He deems that we are valuable. If we are valuable to our Creator, then we are valuable indeed. Whenever we begin to doubt someone's worth, we must always remember their worth to God. 

Now, I am not going to say that it is always easy to see the image of God in someone. Sometimes it is buried under rudeness or greed or pride or just plain badness. Nevertheless, even "bad" people are not ordinary. There is someone reading this who is wondering what their value is. Life has been full of disappointment and you wonder if God has abandoned you. My friend, I have been where you are at. I would just encourage you to hang on; life will get better. In the meantime, as difficult as it is, hang on to the truth that you have value, that God has a purpose for you, and that you are far from ordinary. 

Let's all renew our attitude toward each other and treat everyone as if they are extraordinary because each one is.

On Forgiveness

"To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable, because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.  This is hard.  It is perhaps not so hard to forgive a single person great injury.  But to forgive the incessant provocations of daily life -- to keep on forgiving the bossy mother-in-law, the bullying husband, the nagging wife, the selfish daughter, the deceitful son -- how can we do it?  Only, I think, by remembering where we stand, by meaning our words when we say our prayers each night "forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those that trespass against us."  We are offered forgiveness on no other terms. To refuse is to refuse God's mercy for ourselves."  C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory, "On Forgiveness"

Forgiveness is not always easy.  In fact, forgiveness can at times be among the hardest things as Christians we are called to do.  When we have been hurt deeply or repeatedly, it can be next to impossible to forgive.  How do you forgive the person who has abused you?  How do you forgive the spouse who cheated on you?  How do you forgive the person who stole from you?

In this quote, C.S. Lewis says that the key is keeping in mind the consequences if we do not forgive.  God will not forgive us if we do not forgive someone else.  And why should He?  He offers us a priceless gift.  No matter who you are, you have been forgiven much. It is true that some of us have been forgiven more than others, yet, we all have been forgiven the unpardonable; namely, we all have been forgiven for turning our back on our Creator.  Accordingly, if we refuse to forgive others we are rejecting God's mercy that has been freely given to us.

God does not "command" us to forgive because He is masochistic and because He wants us to do the impossible.  The opposite of forgiveness is bitterness and bitterness eats at your soul. The person who refuses to forgive destroys their own soul.  God wants us to forgive others because He knows it is impossible for us to lead healthy lives without forgiving.

There is no magic bullet to be able to forgive easily. However, the person who refuses to forgive has not readily accepted how much God has forgiven them.  God will always give you the strength to forgive if you willingly ask for help.

Let's be people who are quick to forgive and extend grace to those in our lives.

Affliction...Prepares An Ordinary Person For..An Extraordinary Destiny

"Affliction is often that thing which prepares an ordinary person for some sort of an extraordinary destiny." C.S. Lewis

I know in my life, I shrink from adversity. I run from it as fast as I can.  Yet, when I look back on my life, I realize that when I have truly grown, it is because of some trial.  Why is it so difficult to understand the benefits of affliction?

I once heard a preacher say that, “God will never use you until He has wounded you.”  The Bible sure seems to bear that out.  The “great” men of God were murderers, adulterers, back-stabbers, and cheaters (Jacob, Moses, David, Paul, Peter).  Those who have suffered great affliction are humbled by, recognize their dependency on God, and are thankful when God gives them a second chance.

It is very, very difficult, but we need to be people who are patient in the midst of afflictions, hopeful because God is using them to help us grow.  “Consider it pure joy my brothers, when you face trials of many kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance, and perseverance must finish its work in order that you may be mature and complete.” James 1:2-3.

If you have suffered a lot in life, take comfort in the fact that God is preparing you for, “some sort of an extraordinary destiny.”

It Is The Comparison That Makes You Proud

"Pride gets no pleasure out of having something, only out of having more of it than the next man... It is the comparison that makes you proud: the pleasure of being above the rest. Once the element of competition is gone, pride is gone." C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

I have never thought about pride this way, but it is true.  Pride does not settle on achieving something; pride is only satisfied once it has more than everyone else.

Why do we compete with each other?  James says, “What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you?  Is not the source your evil desires that wage war in your members?  You lust and do not have; so you commit murder.  And you are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel.”  James 4: 1-2.

There is a fundamental issue at work whenever we are being competitive. At its core, it is a disbelief that God will provide for our needs and our wants.  We need to remember that He is the source of all good things in our lives. All is grace.  We are not entitled to anything. When we truly understand that, we cannot be competitive because we come to realize that everything is a gift.

Pride is the original sin.  It is the enemy of love.  Competition is the source of pride. Competition and pride have no place in our lives as Christians.

"Imagine Yourself A Living House"

"Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make any sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of - throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself." C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

God is in the process of making  you into something magnificent.  This is especially true if you have suffered a great deal in your life.  God will tear down the walls of  your life, and He will rebuild them into something that can house His glory.  We often wonder why God is allowing such great suffering in our lives.  The answer is actually quite simply, however; some of us have major walls to be torn down.  On the other hand, as a Christian, it is always worth it to endure the tearing down process because in the end, the beauty that is created is more magnificent than we could have imagined.   Often, we are content to be "a decent little cottage", however, this is the Christian equivalent to being lukewarm.  God wants to build something incredibly beautiful in you. For some of us that means extensive renovation.

This has certainly been true in my life. The past five years have been brutal.  Life has not gone at all like I would have hoped.  Yet, for having gone through it, I am a better man because of it.  I often wonder if we can grow at all as Christians without suffering.  It is through suffering that our faith becomes more mature, and we as people are refined as gold.

Peter put it this way:

"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial among you, which comes upon you to prove you, as though a strange thing happened unto you: but insomuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of his glory also ye may rejoice with exceeding joy."  (I Peter 4:12-13).

It is our natural inclination to feel like God has abandoned us or that He is punishing us when we are going through a particularly rough time.  This not the case, however.  The assurance we  have as Christians is that God is building us each into something beautiful that is worthy of His name and that He will always use our suffering for our benefit and His glory. It is difficult to always hold on to this truth. But, my friend, "Know you not that you are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?" (I Corinthians 3:16).  And if you are like me, in order to be a proper temple of the Spirit of God, major renovation needs to occur.  We should not be surprised, and as crazy as it sounds, we should be thankful.

Pain Removes The Veil...

"[Pain] removes the veil; it plants the flag of truth within the fortress of a rebel soul." C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain

There are times in life when we know why we suffer.  It is clear that we do something wrong and we have to pay the consequence for it.  Sometimes, however, the natural question is, "why?"  God is supposed to be a shield, yet it seems like He is anything but protecting us.  God is supposed to walk beside us, but sometimes it is like He is hiding His face.  I think a lot of times, the main reason that we suffer is because of our rebel souls.  Ever notice how those of us who are hard headed (I wonder if I should rather have written hard hearted) suffer more than others?  It is because our hearts are not submitted to God that God has to allow suffering in our lives.  A flag needs to be planted in our hearts.  

The other aspect of this is the veil that we often live with.  Until we suffer pain, we do not realize the extent of the black condition of our hearts -- how dishonest we are, or rebellious, or proud.  The crucible of suffering reveals the impurities like  nothing else.

Pain is truly a "necessary evil". I am not a masochists that seeks pain, yet we always need to remind ourselves that our pain serves good purposes.  If you are going through a rough time right now, submit yourself to God. Submission while gong through a hard time is difficult because submission involves trusting, and it is difficult to trust when our circumstances would indicate something else.  Yet, the sooner we submit, the less we will have to suffer.

Should Christianity Be Sold With A Warning Label?

"I didn’t go to religion to make me happy. I always knew a bottle of Port would do that. If you want a religion to make you feel really comfortable, I certainly don’t recommend Christianity." C.S. Lewis, God In The Dock

I know plenty of non-Christians who are perfectly happy.  They find happiness in their work, or their families, even things like a good bottle of wine.  Too often, I think we Christians present Christianity as something that will make people happy.  When presented in such a way, too often people think to themselves that they are happy enough.  In fact, I know several people who became Christians and their lives went to hell in a hand basket; life became so much more difficult for them.

Indeed, sometimes I think that Christianity should be sold with a warning label. I think that life is harder as a Christian.  I think we experience more heartache and more pain.  The road of faith is a narrow road, full of potholes and thorns.  The reason for this is because God is changing us to become more Christlike.  The path to becoming more Christlike is one which includes, "sharing in His sufferings."  Also, to love more deeply, we need to be more vulnerable and open to hurts.

Even so, the Christian life is better.  There are yearnings within each of us that cannot be filled by anything but God.  Christianity allows us to experience joy, rather than happiness, and, as we mature in Christ that joy can be experienced no matter the circumstances in our life.  There is  a peace that pervades, which the world cannot understand.  And love...we are able to blossom because of His love for us, an unconditional love that is life changing.  Because of His love for us, we are able to love those around us deeper.  The person who is not a Christian may think that they are happy, yet they do not experience the deep seated joy, peace and love that Christians should.

In other writings, C.S. Lewis uses a great example of this whole idea.  A boy is playing in a mud puddle and is perfectly happy.  His father comes and wants to take him to the sea shore. Having never been to the beach, and being relatively happy, the boy has no desire to go to leave his mud puddle. Non-Christians are playing in mud puddles, when God has so much better planned for them.  Being relatively happy, they are unwilling to leave their mud puddle.  

This is one reason that God reaches out to the downtrodden, the poor, and the broken-hearted -- they realize their need for a Savior.  When we are reaching out to people who are happy, we must try and show them that they are not as "happy" as they could be.  It is tricky and hard.  In no case, however, should we tell people that the life of a Christian is more comfortable because it simply is not.

What do you think?

Still Intending To Do God's Will, Despite Feeling Forsaken

Be not deceived, Wormwood, our cause is never more in jeopardy than when a human, no longer desiring but still intending to do our Enemy's will, looks round upon a universe in which every trace of Him seems to have vanished, and asks why he has been forsaken, and still obeys." C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters (The head demon, Screwtape, speaking to the junior demon, Wormwood).

There are levels of faith.  

The first level is where we believe something for which we have great evidence.  For example, I have faith that the chair I am sitting on will support me because I have sat in it a thousand times and it has consistently supported me.  Put in terms of our Faith journey, this would be having faith in God when we feel very connected to Him; when it feels like He is walking right beside us and He is answering our prayers.  The problem with this type of faith is that it always demands signs.  

The second level of faith is believing in something despite the lack of clear evidence.  An example of this type of faith is a car that has been parked in the garage for a year.  Generally, cars start up immediately when we turn the keys; however, if it has been sitting in the garage for a year, something may have happened to the battery or engine that will make it so the car will not start.  In terms of our Faith journey, this would be when God is silent.  We have evidence in His Word that He loves us, but it may feel like our prayers are not being heard.  If we continue to trust, however, our faith remains intact.

The third and strongest level of faith is when we actually may have evidence against something, but we choose to believe despite the contrary evidence.  This is the level of faith that Screwtape is telling Wormwood is almost impossible to overcome.  It is a deep faith when we choose to believe the promises in God's Word despite the feeling of abandonment. That is the faith talked about in Hebrews 11.  "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."  

Note that I am not saying that there is not evidence for our faith. We always have evidence of God.  We have evidence in His Word. We have evidence in the sunrise.  There will be dark times in our life, however, where we will have cause to doubt His love for us.  If, at times like this, we choose to believe the truths in His Word, then we have the Faith that can move mountains. 

What say you?
Where are you on your Faith journey right now? 
When was the most difficult time in your life for you to believe that God loved you?

The Past Is The Past...

"[T]he past is the past and that is what time means, and time itself is one more name for death, and Heaven itself is a state where 'the former things have passed away.'" C.S. Lewis, A Grief Observed.

As Christians, we have are called to leave the past behind.  It is hard, believe me.  Some of us are tied to the past by regret.  Some of us are tied to the past by grief.  Still others are tied by the past because of bitterness.  Some of us need to forgive ourselves.  Too often our lives stop because we are too busy looking behind us, and as C.S. Lewis says, that is another name for death.

The good news, literally, is that we are called to focus on the future and not the past.  We do not have to remember our failures because God is forming us anew.  We are able to forgive for two reasons: (a) He has forgiven us much, and (b) He will exact revenge His children.  It is not always easy, but we can let go of the bitterness because we can have confidence that whatever the hurt was, God will use it for His glory and our benefit.  We can forgive ourselves because God does not even remember our sins.  Can you imagine? He does not even remember when I mess up?  As long as we have given our life to Christ, we put the past behind us because He is creating for us a new life, both now and after we die.

The Christian is called to look into the future, to hold on to the promises of a new name for those of us who have a name like mud right now; a new character for those of who struggle with a character flaw; a new life as we give our lives to Christ.  This is not only in the future after we die.  It is available to us right now here on earth, as long as we trust Him and His Word.  If we choose to focus on the Author and Perfecter of our faith, He will make this current life a foretaste of Heaven.

No matter where you are in life, whatever your past is, God has something great planned for you, if you will just entrust your future to Him.

What do you need to leave behind?

To Love Is To Be Vulnerable

"To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable." C. S. Lewis, The Four Loves.

Being vulnerable is one the toughest aspects of becoming more perfect in love.  At its core the reluctance to be vulnerable is the fear of rejection.  We all have a basic need to feel needed.  When you love someone or something, we run the risk of them not loving us back.  And, I speak from experience, the rejection of a spouse who is supposed to love you, " 'till death do you part."

Yet, what famous poet said, "Tis better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all."? If we refuse to be vulnerable, refuse to love, it is a slow death.  Eventually, there will be no joy, no emotion, and our hearts will be like rocks.  Yes, incapable of being hurt, but also impossible to experience love, joy, and any real fulfillment.

Love is a risky business.  Being vulnerable is hard.  Yet, the alternative is much, much worse.  And, in the end, no matter what happens, love never fails.

Affection Is Responsible For Nine-Tenths Of Whatever Solid And Durable Happiness There Is In Our Lives

"Affection is responsible for nine-tenths of whatever solid and durable happiness there is in our lives." C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves

Is there a difference between love and affection?  It is better to say that affection is a type of love.  Affection is the type of love that a parent has toward a child, or a child has toward a dog.  Little if anything is expected in return, yet it is a very real warm feeling toward someone (or something) whereby you want them to succeed and be happy.  Affection incorporates security, protection, comfort and approval.  When we express affection toward the person, it allows the person to blossom because they feel secure and appreciated.  Then, as C.S. Lewis points out, it creates a lasting, solid happiness.


We, as Christians, are to be purveyors of affection.  It is a missing ingredient in so many people's lives that when they encounter true affection it can be life-changing.


What prevents us from being affectionate?  I suppose, at its root, selfishness is what causes us to not be affectionate.  Being affectionate can be costly in the sense that affection generally does not expect anything in return.  Truly affectionate people are selfless and worthy of admiration and honor.  


The affects of affection are overwhelming and we, as Christians must be champions of affection. It does not have to be complicated or even require much thought. It can be as simple as a phone call to someone who is hurting, flowers to a spouse, or a hug.  As we are affectionate toward people, they will begin to blossom.


What can you do today to be more affectionate?

All That Is Not Eternal Is Eternally Out Of Date

"All that is not eternal is eternally out of date." C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves.


As Christians, there is a dichotomy where we must always live in the present with a view toward the eternal.  When we stand before the Judgement Seat, the only things in our lives that will count are those that were done with eternity in mind.  "[E]ach man's works will become evident; for the day will show it, because it is to be revealed with fire; and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work." I Corinthians 3:13 (although all of verses 10-15 are relevant).


When life is viewed in such away, our priorities completely change.  No longer is life about what is satisfying here and now.  Instead, life is about actions that have meaning and purpose, that are done out of love and exhibiting Christ's love to the world.  Having such a view is a cure for a hum drum life.  It is also a cure for mediocrity.  It is when we are focused on "non-eternal" things that life become pointless, boring, and we settle for less than excellence.


There is an interesting dichotomy in the Christian life.  On one hand, we are to live our lives "fully present".  On the other hand, we are to live our lives with an eye toward eternity.  It can be a tricky balance.  No matter what, however, we must remember that what we do in this life echoes in all of eternity.

Wrinkles As An Honorable Insignia

"As for wrinkles--Pshaw! Why shouldn't we have wrinkles? Honorable insignia of long service in this warfare." C.S. Lewis, Letters to an American Lady


The wrinkles, bruises and gray hair from this life are honorable badges of service to our God.  Proverbs 16:31 states, "A gray head is a crown of glory; it is found in the way of righteousness."  On the path of righteousness we are going to be bloodied, bruised, and wrinkled.  Mature Christians are those who, to the world, might look a little tattered around the edges.


Our society tends to denigrate the elderly, to view them as useless and a burden.  The Biblical model, however, is exactly the opposite.  We are told to respect our elders and that the elderly are a fountain of knowledge.  Deep knowledge, authentic truth is often only learned through adversity, and this adversity causes us to wrinkle, or to gray, or to be bruised.


C.S. Lewis's quote, however, is important on another level.  Does God care what we look like on the outside.  I am not saying we should completely ignore our appearance; however, we must always keep it in the proper perspective.  God is much more worried about the condition of our hearts than He is about the wrinkles around my eyes.  Perhaps, right now, you are feeling dried up and wrinkly.  Perhaps right now you are bruised and battered by life.  Try to look at your blemishes as badges.  He has a purpose for your wrinkles.  As it says in Proverbs, it is part of the path to righteousness.

In Defense of Childishness

"When I became a man I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up." C.S. Lewis, On Three Ways of Writing for Children.

We spend our childhood wanting and striving to become adults; we spend our adults lives trying to become more adult and responsible.  It is a shame really.  Children are incredible.  The Bible is explicit that are faith is to be like that of a little child.  But what does that mean?  What does a childlike faith look like?

Children are:

1.  More trusting:  Children have to learn not to trust.  As we age, we become steadily less willing to trust.  Which makes it harder to trust God; to always trust that He has our best interests in mind and good plans for us.  We have suffered too many disappointments, we cannot simply allow ourselves to trust that deeply anymore.  "Lord, I want to trust You like a child."

2.  More forgiving:  We mess up with children all the time, yet, have you noticed how quick they are to forgive us?  They do not have any of that built up resentment.  As soon as I say I am sorry, I am forgiven in their eyes.  "Lord, I want to be quick to forgive like a child."

3. Full of wonder:  Everything is new to a child; the smallest things are amazing.  We become too jaded; we take too much for granted.  There is nothing new or exciting.  Too often we have "lost our first love."  "Lord, fill me with the wonder of who You are."

I need to be more like a child, more trusting, more forgiving, and full of wonder.  I am going to stop striving and actually try and walk backwards.  Will you join me?