The Point of Our Existence

I just have to share this quote from an essay called "Man or Rabbit?" that I read in God in the Dock, a compilation of articles and essays by C. S. Lewis. I have been savoring it all evening.

"'When that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.' The idea of reaching 'a good life' without Christ is based on a double error. Firstly, we cannot do it; and secondly, in setting up 'a good life' as our final goal, we have missed the very point of our existence. Morality is a mountain which we cannot climb by our own efforts; and if we could we should only perish in the ice and unbreathable air of the summit, lacking those wings with which the rest of the journey has to be accomplished. For it is from there that the real ascent begins. The ropes and axes are 'done away' and the rest is a matter of flying."

All this time, while I am busy trying to scale this daunting mountain of living "a good life," the Lord is saying, "Look at Me! Let me carry you, for you cannot ascend on your own. You are sweating and working so hard and getting nowhere. For you are not meant to be 'worried, conscientious, ethical, ... [or] cowardly and sensual.' I made you to be 'a real Man, an ageless god, a son of God, strong, radiant, wise, beautiful, and drenched in joy.' Look up! I mean to give you wings to fly!

(Lewis' opening quote is from 1 Corinthians 13:10.)