the choice can be tough

Today, Lewis talks about the strange condition of the future we look forward to, in A Year with C.S. Lewis.

He says that God doesn't plan to rip everything up and start over. He likes what He made. It's good. He plans to do something alot like it in the future. Not us flying around on the clouds... but a new heavens and a new earth. As Lewis put it... a new universe.

And that tells us something about our lives today, doesn't it? Our lives are a weird mix of the present and the future. We live our lives in our bodies, enjoying the food and beauty that He gives us. But we also try to give to others, to live unselfishly, and to look forward to life with Him in eternity.

We see this weird dichotomy in the Bible. On the one hand, God says that it's not good for man to be alone. He gives Adam a partner, someone to love. On the other hand, Paul says that it's better to not get married, so you can focus more on serving God and not get distracted by the cares of married life. Which is it? Well, of course it's both.

But the "both" can be complicated when it comes to making daily decisions. That's where we need discernment. Fortunately, we have help. Jesus ascended "into Heaven" so that the Holy Spirit could come. I'm not sure how that works in space and time. I don't know why Jesus couldn't be here and the Holy Spirit be here at the same time. It seems like they were both here when Jesus was baptized. But that's why they call the Trinity a "mystery".

The take away message is that the Spirit IS here, and guides us. It teaches us what we should do. It shows us where we should walk along that fine line between enjoying the life He gives us, and not being selfish with our lives but giving ourselves to others.

Thank You, God, for helping us walk that fine line.