Restless

Zing.

That's the sound of Pascal sharply zapping me where it hurts.

The 2 chapters on deck this week were on Diversion and Indifference. If you didn't get a chance to read or are a little behind and have just decided to scrap the project all together, I beg you, read Pascal's sermon on diversion. Open up to page 172 and read #136. But only if you're willing to be bothered a little bit.

I'll give you a litte nugget from the opening paragraph:

I have often said that the sole cause of a man's unhappiness is that he does not know how to stay quietly in his room.

Read the rest, it's worth it! I found Pascal painting a picture that looks a little too much like me for my comfort.

And be warned, both chapters force you to think about death--not sick, twisted, you-can-barely-watch-it-but-are-fascinated-at-the-same-time Dark Knight Joker death--but the reality of human frailty and our efforts to avoid considering the truth.

Bottom line: to truly live well, man must consider his wretchedness, God's goodness, and the fleeting nature of this life. And there's nothing we seem to want to do less. My prayer as I'm writing this is that again God would teach me to see with an eye to his kingdom and that I would be meek and ready to respond. As Augustine noted "...thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in thee."

Questions for consideration this week:

1) How is the summer going? Are you doing well? Can we pray for you? Have you found "it is not good to be too free?"

2) What have you been learning lately? Maybe in Pascal, reading the Bible, or in your experience where you're at, share something that will encourage or challenge your fellow Chi Alphans.