The real problem of the Christian life

In Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis wrote:

…the real problem of the Christian life comes where people do not usually look for it. It comes the very moment you wake up each morning. All your wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals. And the first job each morning consists simply in shoving them all back; in listening to that other voice, taking that other point of view, letting that other larger, stronger, quieter life come flowing in. And so on, all day. Standing back from all your natural fussings and frettings; coming in out of the wind.

Wow! C.S. Lewis called this the “real problem of the Christian life!” Not giving to the poor, not fulfilling the great commission, not serving the church, but rather our connection with God! He knew that apart from real consistent connection with the Father’s love we would fall short in all of our doing and miss simply being. For we are all called to be still and know that He is God (Psalm 46). We’re called to make our home in Him and He will make His home in us (John 15). Essentially this is the first commandment, to love God with all of our heart, mind, soul and strength (Mark 12:31). And this must come first! It must come before love for our neighbor for if it doesn’t our love for our neighbor will fall miserably short every time!

It is through our connection with God that our hearts are built up, we tap into God’s unconditional love for us and from that place we’re empowered to love our neighbor. Think about the fruit of the Spirit for a moment: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). These are byproducts of the Holy Spirit. Think about that… So if we abide in or walk with the Spirit these will then also be byproducts of our lives as well!

Friends, in our busy, tech-saturated lives it’s vital we start our mornings in the presence of the Lord and remain aware of His presence throughout the day. We must start our days focusing on our connection with the Father, experiencing His love and affection for us, resting in our true identity as beloved children of God. For it is from this connection and out of this context we can then fulfill the second commandment of loving our neighbor as ourselves (Mark 12:31).

Today and throughout this Fall season I encourage you to start your day from a place of connection and guard that connection throughout each day. Hear the Father’s voice… His words are life to those who find them and strength to our very souls! This is how we’ll create lives we love – by prioritizing our connecting with the God of love!

Blessings,

John

Fill us Holy Spirit! Fill us with your love! Help us to connect with you each morning and throughout each day. May your love abound within us so that your love might abound all around us in everything we do and with everyone we meet. Amen.

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