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.
