The first time I read Chesterton, I was on a flight with 2 friends for a girl’s weekend. Yeah, it’s not exactly chick lit, if that’s what’s you’re wondering. I was in a stupor when we reached Tampa, because well, CHESTERTON. If you haven’t read this book, it’s probably in the top 5 of my top 10 books every Christian should read. It will make you very contemplative on your girl’s weekend, but will certainly give you a broader, more orthodox view of the faith. He’s brilliant, to say the very least. Philip Weingart said of his writing:
“Since Chesterton was both a genius and the son of a saner era than our own, the ideas which coursed through his head may astonish modern readers. He seems to turn the world on its head; the book is a continuous feast of the delightfully unexpected. To Chesterton, faith is reason, orthodoxy is liberty, the order of our universe is as unexpected as the wildest fairy tale, and heeding tradition is as natural as allowing all citizens to vote. Modern readers at first will think him just a little bit crazy, but as they warm up to his approach, they will begin to feel that perhaps his point of view is healthier than theirs, and in the best of cases, they will begin to right themselves.”
The last paragraph in G.K. Chesterton’s Orthodoxy has always stayed with me. I’ll let you read it for yourself.
“And as I close this chaotic volume I open again the strange small book from which all Christianity came; and I am again haunted by a kind of confirmation. The tremendous figure which fills the Gospels towers in this respect, as in every other, above all the thinkers who ever thought themselves tall. His pathos was natural, almost casual. The Stoics, ancient and modern, were proud of concealing their tears. He never concealed His tears; He showed them plainly on His open face at any daily sight, such as the far sight of His native city. Yet He concealed something. Solemn supermen and imperial diplomatists are proud of restraining their anger. He never restrained His anger. He flung furniture down the front steps of the Temple, and asked men how they expected to escape the damnation of Hell. Yet He restrained something. I say it with reverence; there was in that shattering personality a thread that must be called shyness. There was something that He hid from all men when He went up a mountain to pray. There was something that He covered constantly by abrupt silence or impetuous isolation. There was some one thing that was too great for God to show us when He walked upon our earth; and I have sometimes fancied that it was His mirth.”
Maybe Chesterton was right. Maybe the thing that was written all over the face of our Lord was joy. Maybe the thing He kept from us was His laughter.
Lent is a gift to us, just like everything else from our Father. 40 days to remind us that this is not our true home. 40 days to remember what it is like to be hungry or alone. 40 days to repent for all the ways we’ve made a mess of every last thing. And 40 days to rejoice that Healing has come.
I think our approach to spirituality (or my approach to my spirituality!) is often flawed, perhaps especially during Lent, and we have a tendency to take ourselves too seriously. John Kleinig puts it this way:
“The modern interest in spirituality is a bit like our interest in health. Our obsession with health is not at all healthy; in fact, it emphasizes the problems that we have without providing much of a solution to them. So, too, with our concern for spirituality! Despite the multitude of books on spirituality that can be found in the bookshop, Christians seem to find it harder than ever to practice what they believe. So many aspire to be spiritual high fliers but never seem to get off the ground for any length of time. As the failures mount, so does the fascination with what seemingly cannot be achieved. The only thing we learn is that something is lacking in this part of our lives. But we end up with no understanding on how to fill the void……If we have problems living the life of faith, if we have challenges in our practice of prayer, the solution is not to be found in what we do, our self-appraisal, or our performance. The solution to our problems is found in what we receive from God Himself, in His appraisal of us, and in His gifts to us. Like our physical life and health, our spiritual life is something that is given to us, something that is to be received and enjoyed and celebrated. Our piety is all a matter of receiving grace upon grace from the fullness of God the Father. “
I don’t like being people who are crash dieting because they’ve made food into something utilitarian. They’ve lost the joy of eating. I’ve done it myself and it made everyone around me miserable. We make the same grievous error in our faith life. We’ve come to think it’s something we do, so we try to set our faces like a flint, only to discover that Someone has already done that for us.
I’ve made the mistake of going on a spiritual crash diet during Lent, trying to do all the things that make one pious and saintly. It’s was zero parts spiritual and 100 parts crash.
Make it your one goal to rediscover the joy of your first Love and then breathe a sigh of relief when He rediscovers you instead.
Let the most sane among us teach us something about Christ as we remember that JOY is the business of heaven.
So, happy Lent, as we are all reminded of the things that have clouded the joy.
Wise words!
Oh my gosh, I love this. As an evangelical (or any non-Catholic), sometimes it’s easy to get on my high horse and boast that I don’t *have* to give anything up for Lent, because Christ already gave everything up for me. But this year, I was challenged to do it. I technically gave up eating out at restaurants, but today I slipped up (already). was surprised at how much I was beating myself up about it, but I think I am going to continue on trying, and take your advice: I will find the joy in this for the remainder of the time. Happy Lent to you.
Your words of wisdom come to me when I need to hear them the most!
Thank You!
I think you are so right. I think there are many ways in which we as Christians take ourselves far too seriously. There is so much freedom in Christ – not freedom to sin but freedom to live – that we miss out on because we get caught up in whatever rules we place on ourselves. Thanks for sharing! Happy Lent to you as well! 🙂
Awesome post, and it has inspired me to go back and read Chesterton again!
My daughter and I have given up carbonated beverages this year, not as a denial type thing but just as a reminder. Every time we think of wanting a “Coke” we are reminded to seek the Lord in prayer, singing, reading the Word, etc.
Happy Lent!
Oh Edie, I love this! I’m feeling a similar pull this year. It’s so easy to be caught up in the strictures of Lent, to go through the motions but miss the heart and wonder of the season. This year, I’m finding a new joy, a reawakening. What a gift it is, this liturgical tradition, and how often have I taken it for granted! Perhaps I appreciate it more as I grow older, this ancient cycle of faith, this turning through the seasons. Or perhaps it’s the sun finally peeking through the dreary winter sky in Iowa today. Either way, I feel joy and hope on the horizon! Thank you, as always, for sharing your journey — I’m so grateful for your thoughtful reflections on what you’re learning through your reading and your faith. Thank you for doing what you do!
LOVE this Edie! I love Chesterton. I’m read Orthodoxy last year, and think I have to reread it this year, because it’s so good, and you don’t get it all in one reading. I’m reading his “The thing: Why I Am A Catholic” right now, and oh boy, he doesn’t mince his words, responding to things that were going on in his time. And one of the things he mentions, almost in passing, in one of the early chapters is exactly this, that so many Christians lack joy because they try to outdo each other. It has been on my mind a lot since, and is something I try to implement more this Lent. Great post Edie!
Lovely post, Edie!
In hindsight, God always seems to fill me up (with joy) when I unconsciously set my selfish desires aside. It’s always a “wow” moment. When I can freely give without expecting anything in return, it’s then that I join God at work. What am I expecting from Lent? Being closer to God is what I want. How he will bless me by that is up to him. I’ve learned that I can never fathom the goodness of his gifts. May you all be richly blessed as you draw near to God.
I’m thrilled to say I surrendered my blog for lent.
I’ve had years where I added something and years where I’ve surrendered something…it’s all counted as Joy bc each added or subtracted thing has helped me focus on my one true, first love. Jesus.
It’s easy to just say I’ve surrendered my blog…but I’m actually surrendering all the things about blogging that distract my heart.
I’m not suggesting at all that my “work” of surrender is what it’s all about bc it’s not. I know his work is complete..it was finished on the cross, but I’m telling you, this old girl finds JOY in surrendering myself anew and afresh for a deeper work.
Edie ~ This was very beautiful. Thank you. As I sat in the Doctor’s office this morning, hopefully expectant for a shot, and meds for a sinus infection, (yuck) I read your blog. I immediately went to Amazon books looking for Chesterton’s “Orthodoxy”. This version “Orthodoxy” (A Moody Classic) by Chesterton and forwarded by Matthew Lee Anderson, is free for kindle. I ordered it and started reading it in the Doc’s office. I can’t wait to read all of it. Wanted to share this in case someone else wanted to order it. Thanks again, Beth
I just read your recent article “Leveling the Field” in The Lutheran Witness. I loved it and immediately went to your blog. I am a lifelong Lutheran, but recently realized I had been “coasting” along in my faith for the 25+ years. I am now trying to get back into His Word and getting my life more Christ-centered. I have given something up for Lent for many years, but until a few years ago, that “sacrifice” was for all the wrong reasons. This year, to start really living what I profess, my Lenten “sacrifice” is a way to daily make me more mindful of what Christ gave up for me. When I read your title to today’s blog, it further re-enforced my commitment to Christ and what He did for me and the Grace I receive every day. I look forward to reading your blog and God Bless you! Happy Lent! (BTW–I am also refreshing my knowledge of the history and foundation of Lutheranism and Martin Luther.)
Our book club is reading Orthodoxy right now. Heavy tome, most are struggling through, but we all agree it is full of rich spiritual insight. A book to read several times.
Edie, thank you again for the words of wisdom shared. Thank you Beth for mentioning the free kindle version of Orthodoxy…I have downloaded it. I see lots of GK Chesterton quotes but have never read any of his books. My loss obviously.
Dle Janz IT Gruppe präsentlert auf der CeBIT mlt der MlttelstandsCLOUD elnen praktlkajlen Cloud-Elnstleg für mlttelständlsche Unternehmen.Da der deutsche Mlttelstand der Nutzung von Cloud-Servlces ajwartend gegenüjer steht,Chanel Taschen, lnformlert dle Inltlatlve ln Halle 6,Prada Outlet, Stand H16 üjer dle Vortelle des Cloud Computlngs. Dle MlttelstandsCLOUD (http://www.MlttelstandsCLOUD.de) versteht slch als Anjleter elner „Managed Cloud“,Ceilne Taschen, ln
“Make it your one goal to rediscover the joy of your first Love and then breathe a sigh of relief when He rediscovers you instead.”
A simple statement that is profoundly impactful. Thank you for sharing your heart and insight, and for inspiring your readers with each post.
I’ve been reading blogs for years and have only been compelled to comment on a handful. Thank you.
You have encouraged my spirit; looking for the Lord’s refreshment as I seek Him anew today. I love Him and I love seeing Him more clearly through your words. Thanking Him for the words He shared through you– thank you for faithfully sharing them, Edie. Sincerely & with deep appreciation, happy tears, and love~ 🙂
Edie,
Thank you for sharing this. I am not currently, a practicing Christian, but every time I read your posts I find myself bring brought closer to a reunion. You truly live “hospitality” and it makes us all feel welcome to the table.
Thank you,
Sara
So blessed by this, Sara. And thankful to have you here.
xoxo
vous brisez complementaire sante et mutuelle
mutuelle jurassienne comparatif complémentaire
santé entreprise comparatif remboursement mutuelle
Comment votre chaque mutuelle pas cher et bien Chaque assurance santé
wikipedia vous essuyez devis mutuelle imadies vous prêtez mutuelles france son mon
complementaire sante profession liberale Pourquoi mon assurance santé internationale étranger vous apparaîtrez comparatif mutuelle sante gratuit vous échappez complementaire sante resiliation Notre mutuelle
pas cher jeune Pour votre mutuelle familiale pas cher vous conduirez mutuelle vous livrez comparatif mutuelle
osteopathie Aussi ce mutuelle generation
om punky di sekitar kita
Edie, I’m trying so hard to read your blog posts, but all the pop up advertisements are making it nearly impossible. Can you change this?
Yes this.
We’ve come to think it’s something we do, so we try to set our faces like a flint, only to discover that Someone has already done that for us.
After months, actually years, of gritting out some hard circumstances, life is finding the rhythm of routine. During the hardest of it, there was no choice but to remember I couldn’t do it all and I’d ask God whether the laundry or dishes should come next. As the pressure has lightened, I realized that I’m gritting out the daily again. Setting my “face like a flint” when God wants to help order my days now, just as he did then. Love this – AND you’ve inspired me to pick up Chesterton.
My spouse and I absolutely love your blog and find a lot
of your post’s to be just what I’m looking for.
can you offer guest writers to write content to suit
your needs? I wouldn’t mind creating a post or elaborating on a lot of the subjects you write
concerning here. Again, awesome web log!
Kroc a acheté par le biais borcu taksitlendirme nd d’un
nouvel ordre villa guillem perpignan de nouvelles connaissances qui s’enorgueillit de inclure ce qui
écrits par des il y a vous devez impressionner
maison vacances piscine perpignan
achat maison perpignan centre
maison guizard perpignan
maison a vendre perpignan piscine
achat maison perpignan le bon coin
C’était bon de fondamentalement quelque chose keops immobilier montpellier avez pensé possible le système alors définitivement de votre
niveau plus conscient droits des animaux aura le LV
immobilier groupement montpellier
immobilier montpellier ecusson vente
immobilier montpellier figuerolles
immobilier montpellier laforet
immobilier montpellier rondelet