My mom found an old tape set at a neighbors garage sale the other day and brought it to me.
It was entitle The 4 Loves by C.S. Lewis which was great…
Even better…it was read by the author!
In fact, according to the box, it was the only professional recording of C.S. Lewis’ voice.
Worth 50 cents I’d say!
Anyway, I’ve only listened to about 15 minutes and I’ve got plenty to think about.
Here’s the first thought and the first question I walked away with.
His basic thesis is that there are four loves in the new testament. In their purest form they are Godly and true but they are easily corrupted into what he calls “unlove.” In our human experience these 8 “loves” (4 loves and 4 unloves) in a lot of ways define our existence and many times we are surprised to find out what we thought was love is actually not. Even more surprising we find it in our own hearts…often.
He was discussing why we serve those in need. Why do mothers serve their children?..The uneedy the needy?..Teachers their students?
In the context of this blog I would ask:
Why do you serve your children and students?
It’s a great question and it’s one with as many answers as their are souls answering it. The common thread though should be some sort of love.
That then, of course, leads us to this question:
How do you know that your motivation is a pure godly love and not one that has been corrupted.
Heres how Lewis answered it.
He said our goal, when we serve them, is that someday they won’t need us. Someday, what we do for them now, they will be able to do for themselves. That is what is best for the subjects of our love. He also talked about the positives we get out of serving. We should feel good when we serve. That’s an important part of it. There is nothing wrong with that…at first.
Then he asked the question I’m asking you.
“Does the idea that you won’t be needed strike like a nail in your heart?”
If so, your love is corrupted and you really don’t want what’s best for the subject of your love.
Wow!…I need to camp out there for a while.
I’ve got to be honest. I love being needed.
So, I’m looking at my ministry and asking these questions.
Does this ministry need me? If I stepped away would it still keep going strong?
Am I on the path to be needed more or needed less in this ministry?
How can I make the parts that are needy of me less so?
How about you? Do you love to be needed?
