“Mere” Christians

Some time back I was perusing the “Religious Inspiration” section of the bookstore and I stumbled across Mere Christianity. The book, penned by C.S. Lewis (known for his Narnia children’s novels), is an “idiots guide” to the beliefs involved in being a Christian. I have to be honest, as I am sitting down to write this devotion I am only about 1/4 of the way through the book (about 60 pages), so I am unable to genuinely comment on it’s entire content (in my opinion there are some real problems with it thus far). However, this is not a book review. I have decided to share with you a passage that struck a commanding chord in my thoughts. Read carefully the following excerpt from Mere Christianity:

The happiness which God designs for His higher creatures is the happiness of being freely, voluntarily united to Him and to each other in an ecstasy of love and delight compared with which the most rapturous love between a man and a woman on this earth is mere milk and water.

 I’ll get right to the point. When was the last time, if ever, that you came even remotely close to appreciating the happiness which God has intended for us? When did you last embrace this “ecstasy” that makes our most cherished worldly loves pale in comparison? Do not misunderstand Lewis either, he is not saying the relationships existing between you and your friends, your lover, or your children are not amazing. Lewis is simply revealing to us that if we choose to give our lives to God - we will experience a joy in serving Him that is more powerful and more rewarding than anything we have ever enjoyed the pleasure of knowing. I cannot begin to count the amount of times older adults have come to me and asked what about serving God has kept me involved where their own children have left the church in search of more worldly pursuits and experiences. What I tell them is simple and it is true. I did leave the church, I spent several years away, and I was never unhappier in my entire life - and I had seen some trying times before. Being a servant of God, releasing the care and weights of the world will bring you unrivaled happiness. No one that is truly open to God’s intentions and hopes for us can possibly deny the joy in worshipping and learning about Him. Anyone who has experienced God’s presence in a church during worship, singing a praise song in a car, or praying in a room alone can tell you – that feeling is immeasurable. The hairs on the back of your neck raise up, you get chills, and you can’t help but smile. Most people are more emotionally invested in their favorite television show or a movie they saw, than they are for their God; and He is real, wanting nothing more than to see His creation happy.

The world teaches us to dismiss these kinds of feelings; we have become so desensitized that we no longer accept the miraculous. But the miraculous is how we connect to God. Never pass up those moments, never worry about letting go of yourself and getting swept away in that feeling. When I used to work at the Wesley Chapel in Boulder, I got teased a lot for the practices I maintained while singing in the praise band. I would stand barefoot, I would close my eyes, I would stomp my feet, I’d jump up and down, I’d clench my fists, tightening every muscle in my arm, I’d raise my head, and I would feel God’s presence. I would bask in the energy that was flowing down from God, through the music, and into the people. You cannot be afraid; you must be bold. Being “Merely” Christian is not enough. If you do not experience the “happiness” or you cannot see the “ecstasy” you are not getting to the full connection. You are only half alive and you are missing out on the better half. You’re suffering from the hard part – the life full or trials, persecution, and judgment by the world; but not allowing yourself the reward of relishing in the happiness being with God should give us.

I fail to understand why Christians claim their church going has anything to do with routine. You would think that people who are willing to commit the time, who are willing to make the drive; would use that time effectively - instead of partially passed out. You hardly HAVE to use your brains at church, but you CAN if you want to. I don’t HAVE to get excited at a football game (the other Sunday religion), but who wants to sit there tuned out? Sports are exciting, but God is the pinnacle of excitement and knowing Him will put everything else to shame. So wake up! Get in the game and experience God, connect to him, and live the life of happiness God has planned for us!

Peace,

Ben Kendrick