"...Teach me to realize that this world is passing, That my true future is the happiness of heaven, That life on earth is short, And the life to come eternal.
Help me to prepare for death With a proper fear of judgment, But a greater trust in your goodness. Lead me safely through death To the endless joy of heaven. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen."
In his spiritual autobiography, "Surprised By Joy," CS Lewis indicated that one of the principle driving forces behind his turning away from atheism and paganism was the hunger for the eternal. Lewis reasoned that all human longings and desires (i.e. hunger, thirst, sex, etc.) could be either distorted or perverted into dreadful sin, but were also placed within us to serve a higher purpose when properly fulfilled. Lewis suggested that our Creator would not imbue us with a desire and longing for Heaven, or at least an innate curiosity about the afterlife if there were no means of fulfilling it.
It was such a strong theme of Lewis's that Brooke Fraser wrote her aptly titled, "CS Lewis Song." Here's a cover with the lyrics...
Thank you for sharing the excellent post.
In a nutshell!
**”...Teach me to realize that this world is passing, That my true future is the happiness of heaven, That life on earth is short, And the life to come eternal.
Help me to prepare for death With a proper fear of judgment, But a greater trust in your goodness. Lead me safely through death To the endless joy of heaven. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.”**