Out of our own will.

So, recently I've been reading C. S. Lewis' Space Trilogy.  It is absolutely AMAZING.  One part of the second book got me thinking.  The quote as follows: 

"'Oh, brave Piebald," said the Green Lady, "this is the best you have said yet.  This makes me older far: yet it does not feel like the oldness this other is giving me.  Oh, how well I see it!  We cannot walk out of Maleldil's will: but He has given us a way to walk out of our will.  And there could be no such way except a command like this.  Out of our own will.  It is like passing out through the world's roof into deep heaven.  All beyond is Love Himself. ..."

I want to talk about a couple of things that stand out to me.  

If you have read this book, you are aware of the significance of the Green Lady's words when she says "this makes me older far: yet it does not feel like the oldness this other is giving me."  She is aware of the strangeness that 'the other' is emitting.  She understands something is awry.   (If you have not read the book: nanny nanny boo boo).  This makes me believe that we will know when we are being tempted, we can feel it.  It doesn't just sneak in there and then all the sudden we turn around and it's there.   The hints are there, you just have to pay attention.

But that isn't the most important thing.  What gets to me the most is that we cannot walk out of God's will.  His will is strong.  What you or I do will not change completely what God wants to happen.  It may change the order, or the timing, but His Will will always happen.  Also, later Ransom goes on to say when talking about how good can come from the bad:

"Of course good came from it.  Is Maleldil a beast that we can stop His path, or a leaf that we can twist His shape?  Whatever you do, He will make good of it.  But not the good he had prepared for you if you had obeyed Him.  That is lost for ever. ..."

"Out of our own will"

Aren't Lewis' words just beautiful?  I think so!

Glossary or explanation:

Perelandra-  this is the name given for the planet that we call Venus.

Maleldil-  This is the character in the Space trilogy that represents God.  Or Jesus.  Anytime you see this name, just think of God.

 

world's roof-  in this story Perelandra is covered by a very dense atmosphere.  This atmosphere is so dense, you cannot see the stars from land.  This atmosphere blocks a very large percent of the sun away leaving the planet somewhat dim.  

Deep Heaven-  In the trilogy, outer space is not just empty space, it is thought to be Heaven.

 

I'll leave you with one thought.   

When you feel like you are walking out of God's will, step aside and retrace your steps.  Find the way to step out of your own will.  It is only then that you will get the good that God intended to begin with.