The Fine Line

C.S. Lewis once said,

"If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world."

I'll be completely honest, I'm a Christian. I make no claims to live an exemplary life like Billy Graham or someone most people hold up as a great Christian patriot. I simply try to live and grow in the basic beliefs and lifestyle handed down to me from my grandparents, to my parents, to me. At the same time, it's not enough for me to just continue that line of living...I want to be better, stronger, deeper, and more imaginative.

I was driving back to my hometown today and got to appreciate not only a warm, Spring-like day, but the kind of evening sky dotted by only a few clouds. I'm from a part of Texas where you can actually watch the sun as it dips below the horizon as far as the eye can see. The bright orange hues where the sun has just gone to rest shoot even more wonderful hues of light blues, purples, pinks, and creams. Opposite of that is the ever growing depth of blue leading to the night sky. I don't know if people who have never seen that really feel the kind of soothing peace that sort of thing can bring, but people where I'm from get it. And it got me thinking...maybe heaven really isn't that far away.

One of my favorite books of all time is The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis. I won't ruin the story for you, but Lewis presents a quote that sums the premise of the book: "Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither." I began thinking of how the beauty of a sunset here is far more dull than a sunset in eternity. The love I experience through various friendships and my family is miniscule compared to the love I will feel one day. And all the dreams and hopes I have for greatness for myself are nothing compared to what lies ahead. I should think that even the sweet taste of victory recently experienced by Olympic athletes would not taste sweet at all once you taste the victory of your salvation in Heaven. I long for these things, and because I am left longing, as Lewis says, the only logical conclusion is that I am made for another place.

However, I can aim at Heaven now, and earth will be thrown in. And it's true! Even non-believers can agree that there is a standard that, could we all live up to it, would make for a Eutopia on earth. It's really the same concept for my lifestyle: treat everyone with kindness, don't worry too much about your struggles because they will pass, be optimistic and hopeful. There's actually a lot more to it than that, but I aim for heaven. See, Lewis also wrote, basically, that those who aim for Heaven will look back on earth as the fine line, the beginning of Heaven. And those who do not will look back on earth as already being in hell.

So, enjoy the Texas sunset. Maybe you will find a little piece of Heaven in it.