~ C.S. Lewis ~
Mere Christianity
I have to admit, I only read one book by C.S. Lewis ~ The Screwstape Letter. Not that I don’t want to read more of his books, they are just a little heavy for this gal. I will do my best to share my thoughts on this week’s quote with you…
The verses that came to mind when I read the quote are from Romans 8:
“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.â€
~ Romans 8:5-8 (ESV)
In a previous post I mentioned that getting out of bed is a major task for me. Even before my feet hit the ground, I start praying. I focus on Him, because if I would focus on my own strength, I would stay in bed for another hour or two 😀 .
Monday morning I told my husband that I would rather stay home than driving to work to fulfill my duties as an employee. Sure, I could have called in sick. I don’t think that is a good witness though. Everyone at work knows that I am a Christian and if don’t show up because “I don’t feel like itâ€, I am not a good ambassador. Sure, my employer wouldn’t know if I am sick or not, but I would know…
On the days “I don’t feel like it†I have to rely heavily on His Spirit. I want to be in harmony with what my Lord asks me to do. I want to be a fragrant offering that pleases Him–24/7. I want everyone to see that He is alive in me. If I just give in to my fleshly desires, who wants to meet Him?
Lord of Heaven and Earth. I thank You for Your Spirit, especially on the days I don’t feel like being an ambassador of Your love and mercy. Lord, I need Your help to draw as many as I can toward the Light—the Light that gives life. I am trusting in Your mercy. In the precious name of my Lord and Savior, in the name of Jesus I pray ~ Amen.
Please visit this week’s hostess, Christine at Fruit in Season to read her take on C.S. Lewis’ quote. In addition, you will find other Godly women at her place who are sharing their thoughts on the quote. I hope to see you there.
Blessings on your day and as always…
I wish I could meet you IRL so I could get a whiff of that sweet smell. 🙂
No..wait, I’m smelling it over here. Yep, you are a sweet scent to the blogosphere. Now I just wish we could hire you!
So well done. Thank you for sharing. Excellent post.
Thank you for sharing so openly…..I to want to be a sweet fragrance…..it’s definitely a work in progress….
Blessings
You are precious, well done.
Oh you shared so sweetly and to the heart. I see Him alive in you in your writing!
THANK YOU!
I echo your prayer. So many days I don’t want to be an ambassador, but I still choose to be one anyway. Thank you for sharing.
I love how you tied the quote in to being an ambassador for Christ. I also love, love, LOVE the Bible passage that talks about being the fragrance of Christ. My former pastor preached a sermon on that one Sunday and he was so vivid and expressive in his explanation of it that it really became alive to me that day and I’ve never forgotten it. I even included a snippet of the idea in a song I wrote. 🙂
Thanks for sharing.
Oh that is so true! We do make a choice in every decision, even the little ones. Thanks for the reminder in this post!
I wasn’t able to pull your website up until I went through bloglines–not sure what is going on with my browser!
I love when you wrote, “I want to be a fragrant offering.†So do I! I love that! I’ll be thinking of that all day!
Blessings!
P.S. Please delete the comment above. I see that my name comes up In His Name automatically which is a relief that I’m not the one typing it wrong every time!
So many times it is a conscious decision to do what is right, not doing what you “feel”. I have to constantly remind myself not to be guided by my feelings. And what do the say the definition of true character, “who you are when no one is looking.” I remind myself of that all the time. Great post.
Your posts are always so uplifting and thoughtful. Thank you, friend.
I can’t count the times I was tempted to call in sick when I really wasn’t but I could never do it. For exactly the same reason you went to work on Monday…I always felt like I had an example to set. I’m sure a lot of us relate to the choices you make.
Iris-
I loved the way you mentioned how if you don’t show up for work then you are not a good witness for Him. I often struggle with the same feelings about getting started schooling each day. I think nobody sees me so it doesn’t matter if I’m lazy and don’t start my routine right away. But your words struck me in that I am a witness for my girls and for others that I talk to through out my day. Thank you for pointing that out!
Jennifer
I think sometimes the hardest decisions to make are those that are small ones. I tend to seek God more on the big ones than the little ones and thus the bad choices I make are often the everyday grind type choices. And you are my hero because you get up so early! Way to go!!
mmm
that quote is really hitting a deep part of me. thank you.
I wish I could stay in bed as well.. I know that isn’t possible, but I totally understand where you’re coming from Iris (btw, I only read screwtapes too)
Oh, I have no doubt that your life is a very pleasing aroma to Him- a life of dying to self, a life of praise, a life of fervent prayer… it all shows up in your writing and I know is a testimony to those you encounter each day!
Iris, Thank you for your honesty and sweetness in wanting to please your Lord and Savior over pleasing yourself. It is definitely a daily war isn’t it?
“If I just give in to my fleshly desires, who wants to meet Him?” That is a sobering thought. I enjoyed your post. You are an inspiration.
I am so thankful He doesn’t leave it up to us to do the right thing in our own strength. I think you did a great job with this quote (he is deep).
Thank You! As you know I was not out and about yesterday in Blogdom. Today is full of His mercy and grace. I love this quote by C.S. Lewis. It was so where I was yesterday. I ended the day yesterday on His team. I was just over at fruit in season and saw the quote and copied it because it meant so much to me. I did a little post on it–came over here for a visit and here it is again. Too funny! Thank you for your support and comments.