Last night Diane took me to see Shadowlands at the A.D. Players Theater. Diane played the part of the hostess so well – she drove, she opened my car door for me, she bought me a class of wine and treated me to some appetizers. I sort of felt… funny… not doing those things for her, but I certainly enjoyed being on the receiving end of that sort of attention. 🙂
The play was wonderful, the story of C.S. Lewis’ life. How he preached that if we are complacent, we have no need of God. It is through suffering that rouses us from our stupor, makes us shake off our worldly toys and yearn for God. In C.S. Lewis’ life, though, this was something he knew intellectually, but not personally. Then he fell in love and lost his wife almost immediately to bone cancer. She reminded him that this life was a gift to be enjoyed, but it was a temporary gift. When she was gone, he understood personally why suffering can bring you closer to God.
This concept, that Christians should rejoice in their suffering, sounds contradictory to those not yet in Christ’s fold. I discussed a recent sermon I heard on Romans about this difficulty in not just accepting, but rejoicing in this suffering.
It’s an excellent play; someday I’d like to see the movie with Anthony Hopkins.
Pain is God’s megaphone to rouse a deaf world; the blows of His chisel, which hurt us so much, make us perfect. —C.S. Lewis
Update: Diane has rightfully corrected my terminology above. Since she was dressed in a mini skirt with high heels and jewelry and perfume, she was a hostess, not a host. I happily stand corrected. 🙂
Chasing the Wind 
“to those not yet in Christ’s fold”?
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I’m not exactly sure what part you’re questioning, so I’ll take a stab at 2 interpretations –
– Are you questioning what I mean by “Christ’s fold?” It’s Christ’s protective embrace. John 10:11, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
– Or the “rejoice through suffering?” As far as I know, rejoicing through suffering, as Christ did on the the cross, is a uniquely Christian philosophy. Without faith in Christ, suffering is… just suffering. It’s pointless. Romans 5:3-4, “Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
– Are you questioning the “not yet” part? It is every Christian’s fervent hope (me included), that all people (you included) come to know Christ’s love. Matthew 28:19, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
Or are you questioning something else entirely?
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Last part. The assumption that everyone should turn to christ.
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Glad I could clear that up for you. 🙂
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