“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 (God’s) will, looks round upon a universe from which every trace of (God) seems to have vanished, and asks why he has been forsaken, and still obeys (God).” 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 (God) 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 God 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 mountain top moments where G-d seems so present in our lives we can almost touch G-d. We feel lifted, energized, filled with the Holy Spirit so much so that it feels as if our feet are not touching the ground. And then something brings us down – we experience a death of a loved one, we lose our job, we are hurt deeply by a friend – and soon we believe G-d has left us completely.

Truth is, G-d has not left us. G-d never leaves us — but we can lose our connection with G-d? 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 both the good and the “tough” times – even when we lament “G-d why have you forsaken me”.  It is through the Holy Spirit that we have the strength to sustain our faith, knowing G-d’s love, mercy and grace are steadfast and true.

Pastor Dave