Divine life in human conditions
Hence, as a better writer has said, our imitation of God in this life — that is, our willed imitation as distinct from any of the likenesses which He has impressed upon our natures or states — must be an imitation of God incarnate: our model is the Jesus, not only of Calvary, but of the workshop, the roads, the crowds, the clamorous demands and surly oppositions, the lack of all peace and privacy, the interruptions. For this, so strangely unlike anything we can attribute to the Divine life in itself, is apparently not only like, but is, the Divine life operating under human conditions. (C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves)
Lewis is pointing out that the imitation of Christ is not passive. We’re made in God’s image, but we’re called to participate actively in His life. For a mother, what could be better food for thought than this description of “the Divine life operating under human conditions”? This is the Jesus I’m fixing my eyes on today.
4 Comments
Barbara H.
Not only not passive, but active in all those little everyday ways as well as in the more public ministry. Good thoughts — to keep our eyes on Him in all things.
Lisa notes...
Janet,
I so agree. We can’t hold a passive faith if we plan to live in it. We must step out and walk in it. Great quote by Lewis.
DebD
what a great quote. It reminds me that Christ is there for me to imitate in all the little things of life.
bekahcubed
I enjoyed your commentary on this. What a neat thought that we aren’t passive images, like a statue or a photograph; but moving images.