April 18, 2015

“Do not be deceived, Wormwood. Our cause is never more in danger than when a human, no longer desiring, but still intending, to do our Enemy’s (G*d’s) will, looks round upon a universe from which every trace of (G*d) seems to have vanished, and asks why he has been forsaken, and still obeys (G*d). C. S. Lewis (1898 – 1963) The Screwtape Letters

If you have never read one of C.S. Lewis’s books, I would recommend you read The Screwtape Letters. The crux of the story is that a senior Devil named Screwtape is teaching his nephew named Wormwood (a devil in training) about the ways of G*d – and how they can deceive and turn people away from G*d.

“Screwtape writes to his nephew: He (G*d) will set them off with communications of His presence which, though faint, seem great to them, with emotional sweetness, and easy conquest over temptation. But G*d never allows this state of affairs to last long. Sooner or later He withdraws, if not in fact, at least from their conscious experience, all those supports and incentives. He leaves the creature to stand up on its own legs–to carry out from the will alone duties which have lost all relish. It is during such trough periods, much more than during the peak periods, that it is growing into the sort of creature He wants it to be.”

We all know this experience. We have those moments where G*d seems so present in our lives. We feel buoyed – lifted – like the Holy Spirit is carrying us along without our feet touching the ground. And then, something brings us down – sometimes very far down – to the point that we think G*d has left us completely. But G*d has not left us completely. G*d never leaves us – but we can leave G*d, though we think we have not changed our position. A wise man once told me that he learned this lesson: if we feel that G*d’s presence has lessened or been completely lost in our lives, then it is true that one of us has moved away – but G*d doesn’t move. It is through the presence of the Spirit where we are being strengthened to sustain the “trough” times – where we lament “G*d why have you forsaken me” – and yet we have the strength to sustain our faith, knowing G*d’s love, mercy and grace are steadfast and true.
Pastor Dave