I am newly enthralled with the book "The Screwtape Letters" by C.S. Lewis. I read it early in college and liked it, but struggled to get through it. This time I'm first listening to the dramatized version by Focus on the Family and then am so intrigued by what I hear have to go to the book and read it over. I'm not sure whether it's my different place in life, a new depth of understanding, or that hearing and reading rather than just reading makes such a big difference, but I have this book thoroughly marked up now. Couldn't even settle on just one quote for the bulletin.
Yesterday I read the "letter" concerning love and marriage. From this demon's point of view they have been very clever in taking God's institution (marriage)and thwarting it by convincing us humans that the only valid reason for getting married is if one "feels" "in love." It really reminded me of a conversation I had not too long ago with a friend that is with this guy that meets all of her requirements but there is no "chemistry" and so she's not sure if she should take the relationship any further. Thankfully she's also smart so she's not going to give up a good thing yet, but still, she's wanting to feel "in love" in order to justify being in this relationship. I'm not saying this isn't normal,or that I wouldn't feel the same way, but rather that maybe those demons have been working things well. Consider this: "persuading the humans that...'being in love' is the only respectable ground for marriage; that marriage can, and out to, render this excitement permanent; and that a marriage which does not do so is no longer binding." Doesn't this sound just about what the typical mindset is these days? Even in most Christian circles? Sure most Christians are also aware of all the other aspects of love and marriage, and hopefully are well taught that feelings come and go but the covenant that they made before God is what matters. And, by God's graciousness, "being in love" usually does come with or lead into marriage, but it's not the only element to consider. I liked this insight as well: "the idea of marrying with any other motive (than being in love) seems to them low and cynical...They regard the intention of loyalty to a partnership for mutual help, for the preservation of chastity, and for the transmission of life, as something lower than a storm of emotion." Wow, that made me step back. I've never heard marriage described in just those terms. Certainly not the top three things I was consciously considering when I considered getting married. It would seem that we all have things a bit backwards doesn't it?
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