Far Better Things Ahead

C.S. Lewis had it right when he coined the phrase, "There are far better things than any we leave behind." I've been drawn to this quote for some time and it has helped me in times of struggle with attachment. A glance at his wise words made me think more and appreciate this perspective.
I had a hard time leaving behind some memories and comforts of Junior College and going onto University a few years back.  However, this quote always helped me to better trust the unknown of the future and have higher hopes instead of fear of what lay ahead.

I can even recall only a year ago of what it felt like to let go and trust even more fully in myself, my interior strength and essentially God. A year ago, my dear sister moved out in her new place just a few miles over the hills with her sweet husband. I didn't know it at the time but it was really just over the hills and not too far away. But I did know that this move would be extremely difficult and emotional for me, and sure enough I was right. However, it was certainly essential for me to grow 'stronger bones' and overall a more independent spirit, but the growing pains were challenging and suffocating at times. 'The milk' or interior struggle which would essentially create these strong bones was not pleasant or enjoyable, yet necessary in order for God to work through me as well as learn more about myself while also growing closer and trusting Him. Would I had thought that there would be far better things ahead once my dear sister didn't live at home any more, no I didn't think there would be since I didn't think there could be.

A few weeks ago, I finished reading The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis. Like most people trying to gain a sense of the story solely through the title, I thought it had to do with divorce as in no longer being married. After reading Lewis's wonderful work, I learned I was somewhat right about this preconceived idea, yet only slightly. The general overview is that souls in Purgatory/Hell are allowed a visit into Heaven and can decide to stay there and choose this place. The description of Purgatory/Hell ( I think it depends on how you view it from reading), but basically the overall view is that it's dark, dreary and there is no human connection or warmth. It's a very segregated and individualized city. People are waiting for a bus to pick them up and the narrator (Lewis) as well as the reader are unsure where this bus is going, why and the overall general matter that is taking place. These souls/ghosts are going somewhere they are unsure about and once they get there, they also do not know where to go or turn, but have the option of going back on the bus if they choose.
This majestic and very colorful land is nothing like where the ghosts have been, and even more different and foreign since they cannot fully participate and reveal in this place.

Overall, it's a spiritual journey novel pertaining to the Divorce of Heaven and Hell. One cannot have even a feather of sin or the Devil in them order to come to this land known as Heaven. You begin to see how hard certain attachments are and that's why the ghosts cannot fully enjoy and appreciate the beautiful glory of Heaven, yet they still have time time to change their ways before night time where no one wants to be out...evil spirits will come and other demons.

This got me thinking back to his quote once again, "There are far better things ahead than any we leave behind." The ghosts in the story have a difficult time letting go of past sins and attachments from earth and accepting this new land is beyond hard and a challenge to wrap their being around. I not only enjoyed reading this amazing and deep, intricate novel, but I also thoroughly enjoyed thinking more about the concept as it enlightened some understanding of the after life and how truly weak we are as humans. I was able to join a book club discussion regarding this book and got a lot out of it.

There are numerous hidden symbolisms and it’s easy to delve deeper into discussions regarding some topics that are related. There were many things that stuck with me after this book study, but one of them that still has got me thinking was- If we had the choice to choose heaven or earth, we would choose earth not because we don’t think that heaven is good and way better than earth but because of our familiarity and comfort.

So yes, I would agree that there are better or even far better (as Lewis puts it), things ahead than any we leave behind, and it sure is a good reminder of what we choose and what we should choose. That we should choose all things pointing to Christ, even if doesn’t make sense and feels foreign to us at the moment.