I love articles that springboard from a famous quote. It brings an extra layer of credibility and support to my words when someone famous started the idea. There is none better to quote than C.S. Lewis, the author of the The Chronicles of Narnia.
“If you want to get warm you must stand near the fire: if you want to be wet you must get into the water. If you want Joy, Power, Peace, Eternal Life, you must get close to, or even into, the thing that has them” – C.S. Lewis.
As a Chaplain I get to see how others deal with certain challenges in their lives. This gives me a perspective on what both causes stress and what helps when situations become big issues in everyone’s journey. The one great ingredient in life that I find makes the most difference is related to this C. S. Lewis quote. Having a source or supply of power and peace means that even though the stress and challenges are so great there is an external inflow of what’s needed to carry on.
During many conversations I had with visitors at the recent Kennedy Open Day, I was asked about the college Pastoral Care culture and how faith is applied to our daily school lives. It was my joy to explain to our visitors that at Kennedy we see faith as a personal decision to draw near to the source and supplier of life. Just like getting close to the fire to get warm is a personal decision, getting close to God is the same, and a promised to bring us all we need for life.
In John 6:68, Peter answered Jesus, “Lord, there is no one else that we can go to! Your words give eternal life.”
Peter Chase
College Chaplain • Pastoral Care
