In this reading, C.S Lewis talks about the importance of learning and going about our daily occupations during wartime. He says that war is not a new situation, it always has been there but not always noticed. He goes on talking about how if we wait for the best environment and the setting for learning, we will end up waiting for something that will never come. “Life has never been normal.” Insects have chosen seek material security before anything else, but humans have chosen a different path. Humans have chosen to seek beauty despite the lack of material security. Lewis goes on about how we shouldn’t be so obsessed with the fact that we are at war.
I found it very interesting when Lewis mentioned his own experience at war. He said that as they went closer and closer to the frontline, people talked less and less about the war. He’s trying to say that the human life will always go on despite what situation we are in. Those who have been born again will notice that nothing they do has really changed, and there’s nothing wrong with that. The important thing the new spirit we have in us that effects how we look at things.
Lewis says, “The rescue of drowning men is, then a duty worth dying for, but not worth living for.” And he goes on to say, “A man may have to die for our country: but no man must, in any exclusive sense, live for his country.” I thought this was a very good way of putting things into perspective.
That quote also made me think who we are as Christians. We often think of the martyrs of the past as great heroes of our faith, and they truly are. But I’m starting to think how much harder it is to live for Jesus than to die for Jesus. It takes a great leap of impulsive faith to say that I believe in Jesus in front of someone pointing a gun at me, and once that person pulls the trigger, it’s all over. But living for Jesus is a different matter, a lot more difficult matter. It’s patience and persistence every day. Every day we have to die ourselves and let go of all our worldly desires. It takes a lot of discipline and struggles to live for Jesus, and that will never end until we die.
Are we up for the challenge?
I love what you said about living and dying for christ. I can realate this may sound weird but when I was younger I would almost fantisize about being a martyr. I mean what better way to go is there? I guess I kinda figured that whatever bad stuff I did In my life wouldn't matter If I died for Jesus. Your right though It is much harder to live for Jesus, Then you have the people who do both.
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