“He has filled His world with pleasures. There are things for humans to do all day long without His minding in the least - sleeping, washing, eating, drinking, making love, playing, praying, working. Everything has to be twisted before it’s any use to us. We fight under cruel disadvantages. Nothing is naturally on our side.” (Emphasis in original) p. 118The list Lewis gives us is surprising and short.
It surprises because it includes things that we might not include as fun. Washing is fun? Think about it. After a long, hard, sweaty day doesn’t a hot shower bring great pleasure? Think of the joy of making love without having to worry about STD or guilt. Are you one of those few people who can’t enjoy a Sunday afternoon nap? Really?
It is short because of all the things that are not listed. Take any activity that does not involve excess in alcohol, drugs or violence and it is probably something that Christians can do. And since they won’t be influenced by alcohol or drugs they will actually remember they did it. Such things as sky diving, skiing, hunting, and hang-gliding come to mind. I have never done any of them, but they are on that long list of options that are open.
What happens is Satan takes the good things God has given them and twists them. In Proverbs one of the words used for people who follow evil is crooked. In fact that is the meaning of perverted.
So take your choice. Do you want to have fun and live eternally to talk about it or do you want to spend your time in Hell knowing that all of the stories you hear are lies because you have been there.
Lewis, C.S. The Screwtape Letters. Norwalk, Connecticut: The Easton Press, 2002.
homo unius libri
Some of the most fun I've ever had has been in the company of Christians. Pity some folks think we're so dull. Could it be they're criticizing us without knowing us? (Oh, of course not; that would be prejudice!)
ReplyDeleteGenuine good times don't come out of bottles, they come out of hearts.
ReplyDeleteGrace and peace.