— C.S. Lewis
This quote from Lewis echoes the idea that it is better to go into the house of the mourning than one of mirth or gladness.
[2] It is better to go to the house of mourning
than to go to the house of feasting,
for this is the end of all mankind,
and the living will lay it to heart.
(Ecclesiastes 7:2 ESV)
How often do we really have what is important laid out before us when times are full of success,money and prestige. When things are going well ,we tend to not think of "bad" things. In fact there is a whole power of positive thinking movement still having sway over people . The sad thing it is even present in the Church.
However when we are faced with suffering or the reality that no matter how positive we try to make ourselves , death is the end of us all , the grave is the great equalizer. As Lewis points out , pain awakes a sleeper to begin to look at the bigger picture . It is then that one may start to ask what is life about,why are we here and is there a God or life after death.
Plus it also strips away all the dross of life . What we think is vital will become trivial. When it all can be stripped away , the real mirror to our souls is revealed.
In the western world where we hide from, as much as we can, pain,suffering and death , we cannot ultimately dodge it. We will face it . The question is ? Do you hear God waking you from your slumber and your need of a Saviour.
1 comment:
Amen, Reg!! This is as true as it can possibly be. Especially in my life, over the years, particularly the last few. The saddest part is we ignore the Creator and crave and worship the created. Yet, Romans 1:20-23 warns against this very thing. We want bigger and more and better things. Instead of being content with what God has so richly blessed us with. The other evening, my friend and I were talking about "de"cluttering our houses. She suggested that the best way was too remove every single thing, except the essentials. Live with it for a bit. Then, bring back what you really can't live without and the things you really love. Get rid of everything else. I think it's great advice. We hang on to things that are fleeting, instead of the hand of our Saviour. I have learned over and over again the folly of doing otherwise. Pennies from heaven, anyone? Love you, Mrs Reg
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