“The Weight of Glory” gave me for the first time what I believe to be a very realistic and very possible view of what Heaven might be like. Not only that, but Lewis’ ideas finally were able to give me a strong anticipation for eternity. Prior to this, I knew that I was supposed to look forward to life after death. But I found myself simply dreading a never-ending stretch of time filled with singing and bowing and looking at jewel-encrusted lakes. As nice as all this sounds, I always felt like I wanted to live life, like I would be sad or missing out on things if I were to die today. Lewis has effectively reminded me that the gift of life everlasting with God will be beyond anything imaginable- wonderful in ways that I had not thought of before.
The first point that brought me to this realization was the point about receiving recognition and praise from God. Using my own analogy, I have always strived for good grades. Each time I brought home a report card from grade school and high school, I looked for the approval of my parents. Some part of me, even if it was buried deep or I tried to hide it, wanted to please my parents with my grades. After all, they were paying for my Christian education and encouraging me to do my best. Lewis says, “I could detect a moment… during which the satisfaction of having pleased those whom I rightly loved and rightly feared was pure.” I hope (and firmly believe) that God will be better at this than my parents. My parents, never surprised by my grades, always said the same thing. They usually told me that I did a good job, but they would be proud of me even if I hadn’t. All good parenting theories aside, I just wanted them to exclaim and go on about what an excellent job I had done. Lewis goes on to describe how awesome that feeling will be, “when the redeemed soul, beyond all hope and nearly beyond belief, learns at last that she has pleased Him whom she was created to please.” This, is an awesome idea of glory.
The other point I found appealing was Lewis’ references to beauty. He puts it this way on page 7, “Beauty has smiled, but not to welcome us; her face was turned in our direction, but not to see us. We have not been accepted, welcomed or taken in to the dance.” Just as we long and yearn to be appreciated and praised, we long to be accepted and covered by beauty. I know that people say that this is only “a girl thing”, but all of us desire to have a likable appearance in some way or another. We want to look cool, appear put together, and be attractive. We want to become part of the beauty that we see around us. And this is one of the things that Lewis says awaits us in glory. Not only will we be approved, accepted and praised by God Himself, we will become part of the beautiful dance that we have so long admired.
I remember running at my parents with my grades too and expecting a pleased and proud smile accompanied with praise. I like how you integrate your own experience to Lewis' concept of glory: longing to be please God.
ReplyDeleteHey Jessica! I completely agree with you on what you said about how this article shows us how great Heaven will be. We can be so caught up with the things in the world that we don't realize that there is something far greater waiting for us. I had that same experience in high school with my parents reaction to my grades as well. My parents we always proud, but it seemed as if they didn't realize all the hard work I put into to obtain those grades. Knowing that God will be pleased with us, gives me so much joy. Great post, and keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteJessica,
ReplyDeleteI really like your analogy with grades. I didn't think about that until I read this. The analogy also works in another sense. While grades are often the outcome of our learning, they are only a natural reward. They should not be the reason why we learn, just like heaven should not be the reason we have faith.