Today's C.S. Lewis quote is (drum roll, please):
First, how true this has been in my own life. The last few years have been brutal. I should have written that Brutal, with a capital "B". Divorce, losing my job twice, starting a business, being cheated out of half a million dollars, having to close my business...I could keep going, but I won't. At the same time, looking back, I understand that that is what it took for God to get my attention, and now I am in a better place than I have been in a long time, maybe ever.
Second, looking back, I also understand that prior to my suffering, God was trying to get my attention. There were signs, and warnings. They were not the flashing red lights of a divorce, or the megaphone of being robbed of your money. But the warnings were there. Mostly those warnings came in the form of my conscience. Those whisperings also came from things my true friends would say.
There are several key points to make. First, if you are in the midst of a difficult time right now, rest assured that your suffering is not pointless. You can trust that God has a great purpose for your pain. Second, our God is patient and "long-suffering", but He will not wait forever. If you are traveling down the wrong path, God will give you warnings. But because He is a jealous God, He will not allow you to leave anyone in the place He should rightfully have, even if that person is you. Finally, if you are doing well right now, listen for His voice. He may just be whispering to you...through His word, through the radio, through a friend, or through the sunset. I can guarantee what He is saying too, "I love you...more than you can know."
Therefore,
God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.I have been intentionally avoiding this quote from Lewis. I realize it is for a couple of different reasons. First, this may be the most famous quote from Lewis, and for good reason. It succinctly summarizes a complex theological issue -- Christian suffering. Second, there has so much been written about this quote...Nevertheless, here are my thoughts.
First, how true this has been in my own life. The last few years have been brutal. I should have written that Brutal, with a capital "B". Divorce, losing my job twice, starting a business, being cheated out of half a million dollars, having to close my business...I could keep going, but I won't. At the same time, looking back, I understand that that is what it took for God to get my attention, and now I am in a better place than I have been in a long time, maybe ever.
Second, looking back, I also understand that prior to my suffering, God was trying to get my attention. There were signs, and warnings. They were not the flashing red lights of a divorce, or the megaphone of being robbed of your money. But the warnings were there. Mostly those warnings came in the form of my conscience. Those whisperings also came from things my true friends would say.
There are several key points to make. First, if you are in the midst of a difficult time right now, rest assured that your suffering is not pointless. You can trust that God has a great purpose for your pain. Second, our God is patient and "long-suffering", but He will not wait forever. If you are traveling down the wrong path, God will give you warnings. But because He is a jealous God, He will not allow you to leave anyone in the place He should rightfully have, even if that person is you. Finally, if you are doing well right now, listen for His voice. He may just be whispering to you...through His word, through the radio, through a friend, or through the sunset. I can guarantee what He is saying too, "I love you...more than you can know."
Therefore,
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful..." Hebrews 10:23
