Sometimes I’d read a book and make notes and markings but the bits that linger on in my mind would be parts that didn’t earn a scratch. Weeks after reading Alister McGrath’s CS Lewis biography, this extract, quoted from the Screwtape Letters (end of Chapter 8), still linger on in my mind:
Our cause is never more in danger than when a human, no longer desiring, but still intending, to do our Enemy’s will, looks around upon a universe from which every trace of Him seems to have vanished, and asks why he has been forsaken, and still obeys.
I met a couple of Churches of Christ folks yesterday, to talk about what happened in LifeGate recently. Towards the end of our conversation I referred to the above passage. I said to them whatever happened is in the past. I am keen only to look ahead. I said I still wanted the opportunity to work on the things of our Lord and His Kingdom. I needed to still obey.
For a long time, I had no desire and saw nothing to suggest God’s presence was there. Indeed I felt like I was forsaken or allowed myself to be forsaken. I needed to obey. Because regardless of my desires and intentions, regardless of my sense of his presence, He remains God almighty and I need to obey. Even if He is not “there for me”. But of course, I know He is.
Ante 