From My Perspective - - -
What defines who or what you are? In many instances, the things that define a person can be Family; Heritage; Region (Farm versus City; Rural versus Urban); Education; Religious Values; Political Orientation; Mindset; Motivation (or lack of same); Marriage; Sense of Responsibility/Duty; Ambition; etc. The list could easily be much longer – but these are some of the things that define one. On the other hand, there are those who are all too willing to define another person and place them in a “box” or “pigeon-hole” and thus relegate them to a set of pre-conceived expectations – never giving that person a chance to climb out of the box or escape from the pigeon-hole.
More than fifty years ago, C.S. Lewis wrote a semi-autobiographical tome entitled, “Surprised By Joy: The Shape of My Early Life.” The purpose of his writing was to share his quest for that which seemed so elusive, namely, Joy. A brief comment about his book indicates: “…his aim was to identify and describe the events surrounding his accidental discovery of and consequent search for the phenomenon he labeled Joy.. This Joy was a longing so intense for something so good and so high up it could not be explained with words. He is struck with stabs of joy throughout his life. He finally finds what it is for, at the end.” Where and How does C.S. Lewis find what he searched for throughout his life? The book's last two chapters cover the end of his search as he makes the leap from atheism to theism and then from theism to Christianity. Lewis ultimately discovers the true nature and purpose of Joy and its place in and for his own life. Perhaps a poem by William Wordsworth had some influence in the thinking and quest of C.S. Lewis:
What defines who or what you are? In many instances, the things that define a person can be Family; Heritage; Region (Farm versus City; Rural versus Urban); Education; Religious Values; Political Orientation; Mindset; Motivation (or lack of same); Marriage; Sense of Responsibility/Duty; Ambition; etc. The list could easily be much longer – but these are some of the things that define one. On the other hand, there are those who are all too willing to define another person and place them in a “box” or “pigeon-hole” and thus relegate them to a set of pre-conceived expectations – never giving that person a chance to climb out of the box or escape from the pigeon-hole.
More than fifty years ago, C.S. Lewis wrote a semi-autobiographical tome entitled, “Surprised By Joy: The Shape of My Early Life.” The purpose of his writing was to share his quest for that which seemed so elusive, namely, Joy. A brief comment about his book indicates: “…his aim was to identify and describe the events surrounding his accidental discovery of and consequent search for the phenomenon he labeled Joy.. This Joy was a longing so intense for something so good and so high up it could not be explained with words. He is struck with stabs of joy throughout his life. He finally finds what it is for, at the end.” Where and How does C.S. Lewis find what he searched for throughout his life? The book's last two chapters cover the end of his search as he makes the leap from atheism to theism and then from theism to Christianity. Lewis ultimately discovers the true nature and purpose of Joy and its place in and for his own life. Perhaps a poem by William Wordsworth had some influence in the thinking and quest of C.S. Lewis:
SURPRISED by joy — impatient as the Wind
I turned to share the transport — Oh! with whom
But Thee, deep buried in the silent tomb,
That spot which no vicissitude can find?
Love, faithful love, recalled thee to my mind —
But how could I forget thee? Through what power,
Even for the least division of an hour,
Have I been so beguiled as to be blind
To my most grievous loss?--That thought's return
Was the worst pang that sorrow ever bore,
Save one, one only, when I stood forlorn,
Knowing my heart's best treasure was no more;
That neither present time, nor years unborn
Could to my sight that heavenly face restore.
I turned to share the transport — Oh! with whom
But Thee, deep buried in the silent tomb,
That spot which no vicissitude can find?
Love, faithful love, recalled thee to my mind —
But how could I forget thee? Through what power,
Even for the least division of an hour,
Have I been so beguiled as to be blind
To my most grievous loss?--That thought's return
Was the worst pang that sorrow ever bore,
Save one, one only, when I stood forlorn,
Knowing my heart's best treasure was no more;
That neither present time, nor years unborn
Could to my sight that heavenly face restore.
Consider these things with me - - One does not have to be locked into how one is DEFINED by self or others. Regardless of either self-imposed barriers, or those set by others who we allow to define us – there is an alternative. The process can be arduous (testing severely the powers of endurance; strenuous) and difficult. The result and what it achieves makes it worthwhile. An example of this can be seen in I PETER 1:7-8, “…the tested genuineness of your faith being more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,” This is part and parcel of how one is REFINED and processed by God’s Grace. The “testing by fire” may sometimes be painful but it enables one to get from where he/she is to the place where God wants him/her in relationship to Him – resulting in “joy that is inexpressible.” The fact is – you can make it to this goal and experience! Others have – You Can Also! Take the bold step of Faith and begin the journey from the “DEFINED” to the “REFINED” by God’s Grace!
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