July 24, 2005
In the rubble that is too often our office, Ed unearthed the November/December 2004 issue of 21st Century Christian, and I found the following in it which struck me as noteworthy and thought-provoking:
“Mr. C.S. Lewis…said, ‘There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal.’ We look at each other and see—what?—nothing special, just a guy, just a waitress, just a cop, just a Sunday School teacher. But Lewis rightly points out, ‘Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations—these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub and exploit—immortal horrors or everlasting splendors,’ (The Weight of Glory).
“As we walk sleepily and distractedly through this vale of tears, we would do well to recall that these seemingly-ordinary folks all about us are in fact pretty extraordinary (and need to be treated thusly). That woman was made in the image of Almighty God. And this fellow is my brother for whom the Lord Jesus Christ died (Romans 14:15). ‘Next to [communion] itself,’ Lewis wrote, ‘your neighbor is the holiest object presented to your senses.’
“Things are not always what they seem.”
--from Things Are Not Always As They Seem
by Ken Durham
I say that I agree with Durham and Lewis. I say that I believe they’re right, that I believe each of my fellow humans is an immortal with either heavenly or damned potential. I say that I believe that each of my fellow humans is either an immortal horror or an eternal splendor…
…But do I live as though I truly believe this?
If I truly believed this, if I truly believed that my fellow humans are nearly the holiest objects in existence here on earth, how would this belief change my relationships? How would this belief in the holiness of humans change how I see everyone else besides myself?
Would I still mutter irritably under my breath at the guy who rides his bike on the sidewalk where he shouldn’t?
Would I still rant and rave and bluster about how that woman annoyed me and “spoiled my mood” this morning?
Would I still complain or giggle about someone when that person isn’t present?
Would I still point out a fellow human being to my friends so we can laugh amongst ourselves at how that person walks/talks/dresses?
Would I still just say whatever pops into my head when speaking with others, instead of giving a little more consideration to the effect my words are going to have?
Would I ever dare make the statement that another person deserves to die?
Would I ever dare make the statement that another person got what he/she deserved?
I’m a sinner. I deserve to die. But I’m also a child of God. So I will never get what I deserve for eternity.
If I truly comprehended all the implications of these facts, I would treat other humans, these holy, immortal beings—for better or for worse—with an attitude of sacred care. Not with irritation, anger, contempt, or belittling. But with respect. And sincere, honest, devoted, self-sacrificial love.
Can you imagine what the world would look like if only we Christians—not even anyone else, just the Christians—treated other people in this way?
Talk about changing the world.
3 comments:
Makes me think about how we will be "transformed" and what our spiritual bodies will look like. It also makes me wonder why I'm so concerned that I have make-up on before I leave the house :)
This idea of changing our perceptions, how we view others, really hits home. I really do a great job of separating the eternal person with the temporal person. I can see the jerks but I can't see their eternal souls that God loves. It always amazes me how C.S. Lewis can bring to life what I often think about, but can't always put into words. Thanks for the thoughts Court-knee.
Bri: I often wonder that about myself, too. Why do I worry so much about what I look like, when it really doesn't matter at all??? In the context of eternity, what difference does my appearance make? And yet, I'm human...concerned with all these temporal issues, when only the unseen is eternal.
*sigh* I'm looking forward to not being a human anymore. ;o)
Marmot Boy: You're welcome. ;o)
Seriously, though....I too am very adept at seeing how dumb or annoying or arrogant other people are. I try to remind myself that whatever I seek in others, that's what I'm going to find. And if I look for the good, that's what I'll find.
A thank-you to you for sharing your thoughts, Matt. I appreciate it.
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