“I’m not sure that I’ve got the exact point you are trying to make,” said the Ghost.
“I’m not trying to make a point,” said the Spirit. “I am telling you to repent and believe.”
“But my dear boy, I believe already. We may not be perfectly agreed, but you have completely misjudged me if you do not realize that my religion is a very real and very precious thing to me.”
“Very well,” said the other, as if changing his plan. “Will you believe in me?”
“In what sense?”
“Will you come with me to the mountains? It will hurt at first, until your feet are hardened. Reality is harsh to the feet of shadows. But will you come?”
“Well, that is a plan. I am perfectly ready to consider it. Of course I should require some assurances……….I should want a guarantee that you are taking me to a place where I shall find a wider sphere of usefulness—a scope for the talents that God has given me—and an atmosphere of free inquiry–in short, all that one means by civilization and –er—the spiritual life.”
“No”, said the other. “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 of inquiry, for I will bring you to the land not of questions but of answers, and you shall see the face of God.”
—C.S. Lewis
I love this piece of literature from Lewis. We often give God so many guidelines for our lives and IF God gives us what we ask then and only then will we listen and follow Him or Her. So instead of putting restrictions and giving God your laundry list of “this is what I demand”, how about we just show up? Come with all your fears, and worries and thoughts about tomorrow and leave them at His feet. Can you do this and more importantly, will you do this?
Blessings,
Suzanne