There were more than a few instances in the text that I had to stop reading and really give deep thought to the words that were leaping from the page.
In the last chapter C.S. Lewis made the statement - "If you're approaching Him not as the goal but as a road, not as the end but as a mean, you're not really approaching Him at all." This statement was so profound to me. How many times do we as Christian (in situations where it seems like the main line to Heaven is disconnected) approach the throne of grace as a means to and end and not as servants knowing that the ultimate answer lies in Him? Sometimes it is done so subconsciously that it is not even realized. We try to make God do what we want Him to do rather than surrendering or life to what "His Will" for us actually is.
After all isn't that the message of Christ:
When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. (Matthew 8:34)
Notice the Scripture says "Follow me" not I will follow you.
If we are approaching God as a way and not "The Way" then of course there are going to be times of silence because our request will not line up with His will. So in essence you are not approaching God you are asking Him to approach you (by asking that He set aside His perfect will to give temporary gratification).
I never would have thought that this book would have made me think (spiritually as much as it has) because upon reading the title one would think that it would not challenge the way that I felt it has challenged me. Reading this book has been a pleasure for me and I could see myself immersing myself in another C.S. Lewis novel in the near future because I like the way it challenges the mind.
LaFreda, I agree with you that C.S. Lewis is a great spiritual writer. He challenges the mind to where he gets on human level thinking. As a christian person I sometime lay my christianity down and I do not intergrate God in my every day affairs. There is a price to pay for that kind of foolishness. Lewis reminds us that God never excluded himself toward us. Whether it is the person who excludes himself from God's wisdom. Yes, I could see myself reading more of C.S. Lewis books in the future. Thanks for sharing that! Jane
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with everything you wrote. CS Lewis is an inspiring author and A Grief Observed is a wonderful piece of literature. I remember the first time I read it I thought it would just be a portrayal of his loss. But like you said, the book really challenges ones faith and makes them consider their own walk and relationship with Christ.
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