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Hagridden Rainbows, Today's Duty, and other ways to split straw
Commit your work and anxieties to Heaven
Cole F. Watson
September 21, 2023
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3R THURSDAY: Hagridden Rainbows, Today's Duty, and other ways to split straw
The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis is a book written from the perspective of a senior demon named Screwtape, who offers advice to his younger nephew, Wormwood, on how to tempt and undermine a human's faith in God. In the following letter, Screwtape is instructing Wormwood on how to derail a human’s hope in God by either having the human obsess about future riches (heaven on earth) or future misery (hell on earth):
To be sure, the Enemy [that is, God] wants men to think of the Future too—just so much as is necessary now for planning the acts of justice or charity which will probably be their duty tomorrow. The duty of planning the morrow’s work is today’s duty; though its material is borrowed from the future, the duty, like all duties, is in the Present.
This is now straw splitting. He [that is, God] does not want men to give the Future their hearts, to place their treasure in it. We do. His ideal is a man who, having worked all day for the good of posterity (if that is his vocation), washes his mind of the whole subject, commits the issue to Heaven, and returns at once to the patience or gratitude demanded by the moment that is passing over him.
But we want a man hagridden by the Future—haunted by visions of an imminent heaven or hell upon earth—ready to break the Enemy’s commands in the Present if by so doing we make him think he can attain the one or avert the other—dependent for his faith on the success or failure of schemes whose end he will not live to see. We want a whole race perpetually in pursuit of the rainbow’s end, never honest, nor kind, nor happy now, but always using as mere fuel wherewith to heap upon the altar of the Future every real gift which is offered them in the Present.
Where is this bus heading?
This one. The one we’re on right now. The Present moment.
Or really a collection of Present Moments stringed together by…
Time?
Reality?
Metaphysical patterns?
It’s all moving in a given direction. We like some of the views along the way but as for others…not so much.
Can we control these Present Moments? Can we drive these moments in a particular direction? Or are we along for the ride?
Are we the driver of this bus? Or merely the passengers, hoping that the driver isn’t asleep at the wheel as we round this hairpin turn on a dark and stormy night somewhere in the Andorrean mountains?
C. S. Lewis says that God wants us to think about the Future insofar as it pertains to “planning the acts of justice or charity” because “the duty of planning the morrow’s work is today’s duty.”
How then do we trip over Today’s Duty and chase after the Hagridden Rainbow and find ourselves worshipping at the Altar of the Unknown Future? Shouldn’t Today’s Duty be sufficient for today’s worry?
Yes, but this is where we start “splitting straw.”
C.S. Lewis says that God “does not want men to give the Future their hearts, to place their treasure in it.” That desire is reserved for senior demons and demons-in-training. God’s “ideal is a man who, having worked all day for the good of posterity (if that is his vocation), washes his mind of the whole subject, commits the issue to Heaven, and returns at once to the patience or gratitude demanded by the moment that is passing over him.”
So are we driving the bus? Or are passengers along for the ride?
Neither and both. Both and neither.
What difference does it make?
As the writer of Ecclesiastes explains:
Who is like the wise?
And who knows the interpretation of a thing?
…
There is a vanity that takes place on earth, that there are righteous people to whom it happens according to the deeds of the wicked, and there are wicked people to whom it happens according to the deeds of the righteous. I said that this also is vanity. And I commend joy, for man has nothing better under the sun but to eat and drink and be joyful, for this will go with him in his toil through the days of his life that God has given him under the sun.
When I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done on earth, how neither day nor night do one’s eyes see sleep, then I saw all the work of God, that man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun. However much man may toil in seeking, he will not find it out. Even though a wise man claims to know, he cannot find it out.
C.S. Lewis suggests that God does not want our hearts to be ensnared by the uncertainties of the future, nor to rest our hopes in its fleeting promises. Such preoccupations are the handiwork of demons and those they've deceived. Instead, God’s plan for humanity is one of present surrender, where after doing our part, we relinquish control, trusting in the Glorious Tapestry.
As Paul tells the Philippians:
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
…
I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied…
So, are we driving the bus? Or are we passengers along for the ride?
It seems we are neither. And both.
We walk the path laid before us, making choices at every crossroad. Yet, while our steps might determine our day-to-day experiences, Hands far greater than ours created the mountains, moments, and terrain.
Our job is not to dictate the route but to journey through the mountains faithfully, enjoying each moment, and navigating the terrain through “prayer and supplication.” For the God of Peace is with us always.
So chase not after Hagridden Rainbows. Forsake the Altar of the Unknown Future and confront your Self.
Fulfill Today’s Duties and continue being Sweaty Breadwinners.
But when caught at the crossroads of planning for the Future and chasing after the Future, “split the straw” and marvel at the Glorious Tapestry.
Thank you for reading. If this encouraged you, please forward this email to someone else who needs encouragement as well.
See you next Thursday,
CFW
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