what God really wants

We read January 13's selection from A Year with C.S. Lewis.

Lewis is spinning his Screwtape tale, and teaching us truth by negative example. His demonic character wonders what God is REALLY up to, since His purported object seems so ludicrous.

And in today's jaded, cynical world, it can be difficult to believe that what really wants is to love us. That seems old fashioned. Naive. Too simple. What is God (if He's there) REALLY up to?

That's why we bargain with Him. That's why we fear Him. We don't realize that He has our best interests at heart. That what He wants for us is TRULY what will make our lives the happiest, the most fulfilled. Why do we think that? Well, there really IS an enemy who spreads his lies about God. Some of those lies sink into our presuppositions... and we assume that if we're going to have any happiness or fun in life, we have to do it when God isn't looking. Maybe repent for it later. Like St. Augustine said, "make me holy... but not yet." I want to have some fun first.

When we really learn what God is actually up to... we throw ourselves into His will completely, with all of our might. Because what He has for us is true meaning, deepest joy, and completely satisfying happiness.

Taste and see that the LORD is good. You might be surprise what He's really up to.

Thanks, God, for always working in our lives, often in spite of us, to bring us to ultimate fulfillment in You.