Heaven, Hell, Love and other small Epiphanies at coffee

This week was one of the few where I actually had a full weekday to myself. Technically, I should have stayed in my room editing or working on my small business side of things, but I hadn't had a full Sabbath yet so I took half of that off day and had one. I grabbed my bible, my ipod, and THE GREAT DIVORCE by CS LEWIS and headed over to Starbucks (I know I am a sell-out but it was the only quiet place in the area) and listened first to Tommy Nelson's (Denton Bible Church) recent Sermon on Romans Ch 8:28-38. - God's Sovereignty. (wow)

I sipped on my drip and soaked in that message in a bit before cracking open Lewis' story about Heaven and Hell. I couldn't put it down. I don't know how I have never read this book before. It's imagery and characters are captivating from page 1, and the truth that oozes out of the subtext is undeniable. I don't need to explain what an incredible writer Lewis was, and his works never disappoint, but what I was completely taken by was within the first 5 chapters where the main character witnesses an exchange between two souls. One "The Episcopal Ghost", is stuck between life and death, and the other, "The White Ghost", is a messenger from Heaven. The "Episcopal Ghost" is asked by The "White Ghost" if he is ready to "after seeing Hell and in view of Heaven" repent and believe, and the Episcopal Ghost replies "well, that is an interesting point of view." The Messenger goes on to tell him that there is nothing to "consider" and now is the time to accept or reject but the Episcopal Ghost insists on "acquiring some assurances and guarantees" that the place that this messenger speaks of will be full of all the goodness that the Ghost expects, and ways that the Ghost can fully use his own God-Given talents and a place for him to have his own opinions . . .

"No. I can promise you none of these things. No sphere of usefulness: you are not needed there at all. No scope for your talents: only forgiveness for having perverted them. No atmosphere for inquiry, for I will bring you to the land of not questions, but answers, and you shall see the face of God." (CH5 pg.43)

The Episcopal Ghost continues to argue with the White Ghost about how there can be no final answers, and that he is totally fine and happy, and not thirsty at all (thank you very much). He is reluctant to start a journey with the White Ghost who warns him that it will be painful on his feet but worth it and he will indeed be transformed at the end. But still, the Episcopal Ghost INSISTS on making his ideals known (after the White Ghost told him they no longer matter).

The Episcopal Ghost doesn't get it. He misses his opportunity to be taken to "see the face of God" and is quite happy to go on in his worldly (and religious) thinking. "Of course I can't come with you. I have to be back next Friday to read a Theology paper. We have a society"

He is like so many of us. Everyday. Arguing with God. Asking questions that don't even matter, and insisting we be heard the way that we believe is most just. Insisting WE have it all figured out and that we are allowed to question things that are only answers available to us in God's very presence.

And yet there is Love. God's everlasting Love (Romans 8:31-36). I am starting to realize things about the Christian walk that never even dawned on me before. I am one of those many sheep who just don't get it, and yet, I expect myself to "get it" the most because I have been a Christian so long and am in "leadership". Ha! So there I am, arguing with the truth- insisting I be heard and used in the ways I have invented for myself in the very Kingdom I was invited into in the first place!

It was the best quiet time I've had in a very long time, because it was the most blunt. And I was able to shut up and feast on the truth. The simple, amazing, and incredible truth of God's Sovereignty.

Last week we were challenged at Shoreline to live "sacrificially" for Christ.
Is that even remotely possible? Nope. There has to be that journey- that painful journey that transforms our entire being as we walk side by side with the Holy Spirit towards the face of God. The good news is, we can't do it ourselves. The bad news is that it is up to us to decide to walk it out and there is a chance we'll miss it entirely if we are too busy- talking/thinking/doing/serving/deciding if we go/stay/etc...

It's so simple when my own reasoning doesn't get in the way.

Go read THE GEAT DIVORCE. But feast on the Truth before, during and after. Always.
Don't miss that train when it comes for you.