One of the things I like best about Lewis is his disarming way of being brilliantly and charitably contrary. Most people see things one way but he invariably points out a better, or bigger way to think about virtually any subject. I have read him so long that I'm allowing my similar nature to thrive, not that he and I ought to be compared. As I said in my book about another hero, Brennan Manning, my squeak compared to his roar is laughable, none-the-less, I keep squeaking.
(I'm extremely happy to report that someone very dear to me told me this week that reading my book (see link) reminded them of reading Lewis! They meant they had to take it in small portions and think about it before proceeding. I don't understand that completely but I'll take it, believe me!)
Here is a good example of how Lewis thought and why he wins yet another Contrarian of the Day Award:
"Strictly speaking, there are no such things as good and bad impulses. Think ... of a piano. It has not got two kinds of notes on it, the 'right' notes and the 'wrong' ones. Every single note is right at one time or another.... The most dangerous thing you can do is to take any one impulse of your own nature and set it up as the thing you ought to follow at all costs. There is not one of them which will not make us into devils if we set it up as an absolute guide. You might think that love of humanity in general was safe, but it is not. If you leave out justice you will find yourself breaking agreements and faking evidence at trials 'for the sake of humanity', and become in the end a cruel and treacherous man." Mere Christianity
In my book, Praying When Prayer Doesn't Work, I take some time to make the same point about the many impulses that come to us daily. Some of them may feel seamy when they arrive while others appear to be full of divine sanctity. Regardless of their condition, or the nature of their arrival, we have the time and the responsibility to examine each to discern their potential for good or evil.
Response (Response - Ability) is completely different than reacting. We get in trouble when we react to impulses, and most likely stay pretty clean when we respond to them - according to our values, commitments and covenants. Is lust evil? It is when it wins our hearts and minds. Is laughter good? Not when looking into a former business partner's casket for the first time. (Play that out with any impulse you can think of and see how right Lewis is.)
In my book, I call those impulses prayer triggers. That is to say, anything that comes to us can immediately be used to create a moment of prayer. If it's troublesome, turn it into a moment of discernment by asking hard questions about what it means or where it plans to take you if you follow it. On the other hand, if it feels like it is something good, use it as a moment of gratitude and praise to bring yourself into the presence of God. (Psalm 100:4)
Don't fall for everything you hear. Be a little contrary with some of the dogma that wants to devour your mind. Heck, if you tell me about it, you may end up winning an award from this desolate blogger.
Blessings.
Jack
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