Discovering True Joy

Finding Joy in Christ 

C.S. Lewis’s Unexpected Encounter with Christ

From Atheism to Joy

The Unlikely Transformation of C.S. Lewis

C.S. Lewis, one of the most influential Christian writers of the 20th century, recounts his spiritual journey from atheism to faith in Surprised by Joy. The book is not only an autobiographical account but a profound reflection on the search for meaning and the unexpected joy he found in Jesus Christ.

In Surprised by Joy, Lewis speaks of this joy as something elusive—appearing in brief, fleeting moments when he encountered beauty, art, or nature. This joy stirred an insatiable desire within him, leading him to seek out its source. Ultimately, Lewis realized that this longing was not an accident but a divine invitation. In Nehemiah 8:10, we read, “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” This verse captures the essence of what Lewis discovered: true joy is not something we manufacture or find in worldly pursuits; it is a gift from God, rooted in His presence and truth. This joy provides strength, sustenance, and purpose, transforming the way we view life and reality.

 Lewis describes his conversion as a process marked by longing, reason, and an ultimate surrender to a truth he once rejected. What he discovered was that true joy is found not in intellectual pursuits or worldly pleasures but in a relationship with a Person—Jesus Christ.

1. The Longing for Joy and Its Fulfillment

Lewis’s journey began with an intense longing for something he could not quite define. This longing, which he later called “Joy,” was an elusive yet compelling desire that he found in moments of beauty, art, and nature. He describes it as a sensation that would suddenly come and go, leaving him unsatisfied but eager to find its source. This echoes Ecclesiastes 3:11, where the writer says, “He has also set eternity in the human heart.” Lewis’s longing was a glimpse of eternity, a hint of the divine that God had placed within him.

Lewis’s intellectual pursuit led him to study various philosophies and religions, but none satisfied his longing for truth and meaning. However, as he continued to seek, he was met with the surprising realization that true joy was not an abstract feeling or concept but a Person—Jesus Christ. In John 15:11, Jesus says, “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” Lewis found that the fullness of joy he had longed for was in Christ, the source of all true satisfaction.

2. From Reluctant Convert to Joyful Believer

In Surprised by Joy, Lewis refers to himself as the most “reluctant convert” in England. His conversion was not an emotional epiphany but rather an intellectual submission to the overwhelming evidence of Christ’s reality and lordship. Romans 10:9 states, “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Lewis’s journey shows that faith involves both the mind and the heart—a recognition of truth that leads to surrender.

Lewis was surprised by the joy that followed his conversion. Contrary to his expectations of a burdensome religious life, he found freedom and delight in Christ. Psalm 16:11 declares, “Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Lewis’s experience affirms that true joy is found in God’s presence and that following Christ is the path to the life he had always longed for.

3. The Heart of Reality: Finding Truth in a Person

Lewis came to understand that the heart of reality is not a philosophical idea or an impersonal force but a living, loving Person—Jesus Christ. In John 14:6, Jesus declares, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Lewis’s search for truth ultimately led him to the One who is Truth incarnate. He realized that his longings were not random but were God’s way of drawing him toward Himself.

The joy he found was not just an emotion; it was a deep, abiding sense of peace and fulfillment in knowing and being known by Christ. Philippians 4:7 speaks of “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding.” This peace, coupled with joy, transformed Lewis’s life, proving that the gospel is not just good news in theory but a transformative reality that brings deep and lasting satisfaction.

Conclusion: The Surprise of Joy and the Invitation to All

C.S. Lewis’s Surprised by Joy is a testament to the fact that the search for meaning, truth, and joy ultimately leads to Christ. His conversion reminds us that God uses even our deepest longings to draw us closer to Himself, inviting us to experience the fullness of joy that only He can provide.

If you are on a journey of searching, Lewis’s story offers hope. The joy he found is available to all who, like him, are willing to seek, question, and ultimately yield to the One who is the source of all joy. As Psalm 34:8 invites, “O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.”

Prayer

Lord, thank You for the joy that comes from knowing You. May we, like C.S. Lewis, seek You earnestly and find the fulfillment that only comes through a relationship with Jesus Christ. Help us to recognize the longings You place in our hearts as invitations to discover Your love and truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Soli Deo Gloria

Humility and Surrender

Jesus said,

Whoever Exalts himself will be Humbled, 

And he who Humbles himself will be Exalted.

Matthew 23:12

Eric Liddell’s Legacy of Faith

In the life of Eric Liddell we see a profound example of what it means to be yielded to God. Liddell, known not only for his athletic achievements but also for his deep faith, exemplified humility in action. At the 1924 Paris Olympics, he chose to honor God over personal ambition by refusing to compete on a Sunday, despite intense pressure. This act of humility was rewarded as he won gold in the 400 meters, an event he had not specifically trained for. His story shows that when we yield ourselves fully to God’s will, He exalts us in His own way and timing.

Liddell’s life further illustrates that yielding to God is not merely about athletic discipline but about a complete surrender of one’s life. After his sports career, he dedicated himself to missionary work in China, humbly serving others and sharing the gospel. Even in the hardships of a Japanese internment camp during World War II, he remained a servant, demonstrating God’s love to those around him until his death. His legacy through the lens of Matthew 23:12 and James 4:10, teaches us that humility, obedience, and trust in God’s plans lead to a far greater and richer life than anything the world could offer.

In yielding, we find the secret to life: relinquishing control and allowing God to lift us up according to His purpose. It is through this humility and trust that God’s glory shines brightest, as seen in the life of Eric Liddell.

Prayer:

Lord, help me to walk in humility and yield my life to You, as Eric Liddell did. Teach me to trust Your plans over my own, standing firm in faith even when it costs me. May my life be a reflection of Your love and grace, and may I find true strength and fulfillment in surrendering to Your will. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Soli Deo Gloria

Walking in God's Favor

Living to Delight the Lord

Practicing the Presence of the Lord

As Christians, our desire is to live lives that please the Lord, knowing that His love surrounds those who trust in Him. We don’t earn God’s love, but through faith and obedience, we can bring joy to His heart. Psalm 33:22 reminds us of this beautiful relationship:  

"May Your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in You." (Psalm 33:22, NIV)

When we live with our hope in the Lord, His unfailing love covers us. The Bible provides many insights on how we can live in a way that pleases Him, guiding us toward a life of purpose, joy, and spiritual fulfillment. Below are seven key ways we can please the Lord, supported by Scripture and reflections from Christian thinkers who have walked this journey of faith before us.  

1. Faith

Without faith, it is impossible to please God. Faith is the foundation of our relationship with Him, trusting in His promises and living in obedience, even when we cannot see the outcome.

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." 

(Hebrews 11:6, NIV)

As Dallas Willard wrote, "Faith is not opposed to knowledge; it is opposed to sight. Faith is a confidence in God and His actions in our lives based on knowledge of Him." Living by faith pleases God because it shows that we trust His character even when life’s path is uncertain.

2. Obedience

Obedience to God’s commands reflects our love for Him. Jesus made it clear that those who love Him will obey His teachings, and this pleases the Father. Obedience is not merely following rules; it is aligning our hearts and actions with God’s will.

"If you love Me, keep My commands." (John 14:15, NIV)

Corrie Ten Boom demonstrated radical obedience in risking her life to save Jews during the Holocaust. She once said, "You can never learn that Christ is all you need, until Christ is all you have." Her obedience in the face of danger shows how a surrendered heart pleases the Lord.

3. Gratitude

A heart of gratitude pleases the Lord because it shows that we recognize His hand in every aspect of our lives, from the smallest blessings to the grandest miracles. Even in difficult circumstances, a thankful heart reflects our trust in God’s sovereignty.

 "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:18, NIV)

G.K. Chesterton wisely said, "I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder." A life marked by gratitude pleases God because it acknowledges that every good and perfect gift comes from Him (James 1:17).

4. Humility

Humility is a hallmark of a life that pleases God. He opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. When we humble ourselves before God, acknowledging our dependence on Him, we open the door for His grace to work in and through us.

 "God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble." (James 4:6, NIV)

Richard Foster wrote, "The grace of humility is a great gift; it allows us to step into the flow of God’s love without demanding attention for ourselves." Humility is not thinking less of ourselves but thinking of ourselves less—allowing God to be glorified.

5. Pursuing Holiness

God is holy, and He calls us to be holy as well. To pursue holiness is to strive for purity in thought, word, and deed, separating ourselves from the sinful ways of the world and dedicating our lives to God.

"But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'" (1 Peter 1:15-16, NIV)

Paul Brand, a Christian physician, once reflected, "God's plan isn't to make us comfortable, but to make us holy." Pursuing holiness pleases God because it reflects His character in us and sets us apart as His people.

6. Loving Others

One of the greatest ways to please the Lord is to love others as He has loved us. The command to love is central to the Christian life, encompassing both our relationship with God and with those around us.

 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." (John 13:34, NIV)

C.S. Lewis famously said, "To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you." Loving others, especially when it is difficult, pleases God because it reflects His heart of forgiveness and mercy.

7. Seeking God’s Will

 

Pleasing the Lord involves seeking His will in all that we do. When we earnestly seek His direction, rather than pursuing our own ambitions, we honor Him and trust in His greater plan for our lives.

 "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will." (Romans 12:2, NIV)

Eugene Peterson once wrote, "All prayer is prayed in a story, and when we pray, we are praying in the middle of God’s story." By seeking God’s will, we surrender our small stories into the grand narrative of God’s redemption, which pleases Him because it aligns our lives with His greater purposes.

Conclusion  

Pleasing the Lord is not about perfection, but about a heart posture that seeks to honor God in all aspects of life. Through faith, obedience, gratitude, humility, holiness, love, and seeking His will, we bring joy to the heart of God. As we continue to grow in these areas, we reflect the nature of Christ, drawing closer to the Lord and living in a way that glorifies Him.

"For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose." (Philippians 2:13, NIV)  

As Psalm 33:22 encourages us, may God's unfailing love surround us, even as we put our hope in Him, trusting that He is working in and through us for His glory.  

Soli Deo Gloria