Editor’s Note: This recently, widely-circulated quote from an essay written by C.S. Lewis, How Are We to Live in an Atomic Age? (1948), helps with a word of caution about our souls. If you replace the word atomic with coronavirus or this week even terrorism, then you will see how it helps bring clarity. However, as you will see at the end of today’s blog, we need this reminder to help our souls get a fresh breath of air, not to throw all caution to the wind. We read through this advice for the big-picture perspective about life and living under the providential rule of God. Without question, I am not suggesting by quoting this piece that we should in any way not be sober minded nor wise. On the contrary, we must be sober minded and wise as we respond to life situations around us.
How Are We to Live in an Atomic Age? by C.S. Lewis
“How are we to live in an atomic age?” I am tempted to reply: Why, as you would have lived in the sixteenth century when the plague visited London almost every year, or as you would have lived in a Viking age when raiders from Scandinavia might land and cut your throat any night; or indeed, as you are already living in an age of cancer, an age of syphilis, an age of paralysis, an age of air raids, an age of railway accidents, an age of motor accidents.
In other words, do not let us begin by exaggerating the novelty of our situation. Believe me, dear sir or madam, you and all whom you love were already sentenced to death before the atomic bomb was invented: and quite a high percentage of us were going to die in unpleasant ways.
This is the first point to be made: and the first action to be taken is to pull ourselves together. If we are all going to be destroyed by an atomic bomb, let that bomb when it comes find us doing sensible and human things – praying, working, teaching, reading, listening to music, bathing children, playing tennis, chatting to our friends over a pint and a game of darts – not huddled together like frightened sheep and thinking about bombs. They may break our bodies (a microbe can do that) but they need not dominate our minds.
Grab the Heart of What Lewis Says
…the first action to be taken is to pull ourselves together. … let that bomb when it comes find us doing sensible things and human things – praying, teaching, reading, bathing, playing, chatting … not huddled together like frightened sheep and thinking about bombs. They may break our bodies (a microbe can do that) but they need not dominate our minds.
Lewis encourages you to not let the coronavirus, terrorism, or the fear of the future have residence in the crevices of your soul. In other words, although we should live with an awareness of personal responsibility and act accordingly, we cannot let fear or other emotions dominate our soul. Instead, we need to continue to live. We must continue to love and serve each other while nourishing our own souls.
Lewis understood there is a temptation to allow the latest threat (i.e., atomic bombs then, pestilences, terrorism, etc. now) to dominate the ruminations of our soul. Instead of enjoying the deep and satisfying fountain of God’s character, the warm embrace of others’ care, and the refreshing perspective of service to others, we remain focused on the threat(s). This limited focus unnecessarily burdens us and can rob us from those activities in life that uplift and encourage us, like as Lewis writes: praying, teaching, reading, bathing, playing, and chatting.
In this way, Lewis’ words from a by-gone age provide a great warning to us today.
Consider these Illustrations
What is the likelihood of getting killed in an automobile accident? 1 in 107
Automobiles are dangerous. We take great responsibility into our hands whenever we either drive or ride in an automobile. Two things typically happen though as we go about our daily business. First, we take caution by using safety equipment installed on said vehicles. Second, we drive defensively, seeking to follow the posted speed limits, recommended curve speeds, and watching out for what is going on around us. Is automobile transportation serious? Yes. Do we typically let it dominate our thinking? No.
What is the likelihood of dying from fire or smoke inhalation? 1 in 1,547
The odds are less likely that we would die from fire or smoke inhalation; however, most people take wise and simple precautions. We install smoke detectors in our homes and change their batteries. We may get a carbon monoxide alarm. In public buildings, we often install both fire alarm systems and fire suppression systems. All sensible things. We practice discernment while not allowing these things to dominate our souls.
These are two simple illustrations to highlight the necessity of both wisdom and caution while still choosing to free our souls from the bondage of fear.
Solomon’s Advice Beats Lewis’
Life is seasonal. Solomon identified both the seasons of life (Eccl 3:1-15) and the inevitability of death. Read carefully Solomon’s advice though:
12 I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives, 13 and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor—it is the gift of God.
14 I know that whatever God does,
It shall be forever.
Nothing can be added to it,
And nothing taken from it.
God does it, that men should fear before Him.
15 That which is has already been,
And what is to be has already been;
And God requires an account of what is past. (Eccl 3:12-15)
In life, we accept what we have today as our portion, live life with those parameters, and trust God with His plan. Friends, it is that simple.
Yes, take wise precautions as you deem best and live with awareness – in every way. However, we were meant to trust God deeply in our souls, not worry, fret, and fear those things past our control, which are under the sovereign hand of God.
Love God supremely — which includes trust!
Love our neighbors sincerely — which includes service, fellowship, and kindness.
Image Credit Frank Alarcon
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