The devotional for today was regarding letters that C.S.Lewis received containing questions from his fans/admirers. From what I have read about Lewis, is that he spent a considerable amount of time responding to letters he received and tried to provide information to the seeker and not necessarily an answer. One question was “Do people get a second chance after death?” and another was “What happens if I die an atheist?” Lewis offers two statements about the first question regarding a second chance and refers to reincarnation in that the individual would attempt a fresh start after failing in the first one. He also refers to purgatory in which the work of redemption continues most noticeably after death. The second question regarding atheism and death, Lewis is quick to answer with “we are never given any knowledge of ‘What would have happened if…'”. Lewis, in my opinion was encourage people to examine information available and through pray and study of the Bible and reference literature each person would be able to make a more informative decision about what they believe to be true and not what someone tells them to believe as truth. After all, it’s a personal relationship with God, not a denomination or specific place or people. I have often sought out the easy route of getting answers to my questions from others, it was easy but not necessarily my truth, then I had a couple of incredible individuals come into my life that flat out refused to participate in this technique of mine. So, slowly over time I started seeing benefits of making my own decisions and my own choices. And along with today’s title sometimes our questions can be dark and murky but fear need not be the reason to stop our search for our truths. The Bible tells us that “Fear not” or “Be not afraid” appears at least 103 times, more if you take into account the different versions and meanings of the words. I am in not way trying to tell you answering your own questions will be easy, it’s not; however, I can tell you it is so worth your time and effort to seek and find your truth, it will strengthen your personal relationship with God in ways you never thought possible.
Isaiah 56:1-7 “This is what the Lord says: “Maintain justice and do what is right, for my salvation is close at hand and my righteousness will soon be revealed. Blessed is the one who does this— the person who holds it fast, who keeps the Sabbath without desecrating it, and keeps their hands from doing any evil.” Let no foreigner who is bound to the Lord say, “The Lord will surely exclude me from his people.” And let no eunuch complain, “I am only a dry tree.” For this is what the Lord says: “To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, who choose what pleases me and hold fast to my covenant— to them I will give within my temple and its walls a memorial and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that will endure forever. And foreigners who bind themselves to the Lord to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord, and to be his servants, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold fast to my covenant— these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.”
Psalm 27:4-9 “One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord. Hear my voice when I call, Lord; be merciful to me and answer me. My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek. Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, God my Savior.”
~Blessings and Peace~
References:
Preparing for Esther by C.S.Lewis
HOPE SEEKER 