how empty?

We're spending the year with C.S. Lewis. You can buy the e-book of A Year with C.S. Lewis for $2.99 from bn.com. Today we read the January 21 selection.

Lewis today says that God emptied Himself when He became a man. And the New Testament agrees with him. But I think sometimes we're tempted to think He emptied Himself a little more than He did. What do I mean by that?

Well, as they say, familiarity breeds contempt. And we are very familiar with our fellow man. It is easy to forget how amazing people are. Sure, the worst thing that can happen to you can be a horrible person treating you like garbage. But there is another end to that spectrum. People do amazing things to help other people. Sartre said that “hell is other people”, but I think in a real way, heaven can be “other people”, too. When someone moves or starts a new job (both of which I'm currently doing), if you ask them what they liked about their last home or job, they will almost always say “I miss the people.”

And if you think about it theologically, God created the universe. He made all of the wonders of plants and trees and fruit and vegetables. Then He made the glory of animal creation... so many ingenious and wonderful creatures, huge and tiny. And He called all of this good, and it was.

But then, He created us. He made us in His image. And He said we were VERY good.

Sometimes when we have heard the latest political rant or watched the news and saw how many people were gunned down yesterday or blown up in the middle east, we are tempted to forget that God made us in His image, and He called us very good. That's why it's so important to spend time with Him every day... to be reminded that He doesn't see us the same way the local news sees us. He adores us. He can't get enough of us. He thinks we're amazing. And between Him and the local news, who do you think is right?

God, thanks for continually reminding us how amazing You made us.