Chapter 5 Beatitudes: Lucky are the Unlucky

Nearly every book I've read in the past 5 years includes this quote from CS Lewis:

"If we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that our Lord finds our desires, not too strong, but too weak. We are half hearted creatures, fooling around with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by a holiday at the sea." (quoted in ch 5. p111)

It has become a kind of mantra for me, this offer of "a holiday at the sea." I keep reading this theme over an over as I pick up old books, or buy a new one, or attend church, or listen to a book on tape, or turn to my Bible. This week Isaiah 55 had great - immediate - meaning for me. It is this same theme. I'd never seen that before.

We are so spoiled in our comfortable lives. We settle for so little by having so much. God I really don't want to settle for mud pies. And yet, I'm not sure what it means to head off with you for this holiday right now... I mean, I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do with my days here while I wait and learn to draw nearer to You. There's so much that can be done. And I don't feel equipped to make much difference.

And then tonight, J & I watch this French movie, THE CONDUCTOR. Inspirational. Simple. Beautiful. A man makes a difference through art in the lives of boys who no one else had any hope for.

My ego is struck again by the truth that I don't have to make a big difference. Just a difference in the lives of those who's paths I cross. I want them to see the reality of a personal Creator God who faithfully loves us and wants us all to do our best at getting ready to come on a holiday with him.