The following is a translation of a scriptural meditation from the Russian book, “Day by Day”. Lewis connection follows:
"Scripture: ‘You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand’ (Jn: 13, 7)
"Meditation:
"The truth of these words will never change; in order to fully understand them, we only need faith and trust.
"God alone sees the complete harmony in everything that looks like total chaos to us. But let us not despair. Faith is like the dawn. When it lights up the sky, we know that day is not far away. There are times when we do not see any light in front of us, when even the next day is concealed from us, and when we seem to be standing on the edge of a bottomless abyss. Do not forget that even then God’s way is just as clear; He walked on the water, and His hand is always stretched out to all who are perishing.
"Let us hasten to the foot of the cross – the sacrifice made there promises us final victory over evil. If we do not know how to pray, our silent sighs will reach God’s throne; and if we don’t even have sighs, let us wait! In silence and without words, let us wait for deliverance. Furious passions have taken hold of the world, and angry waves are raging within ourselves, but relying on faith, we will conquer the world, and the storm in our soul will subside at the feet of the One Who is “greater than our heart, and knows everything” (1 Jn:3, 20).
"The Lord wants to wash us, as He did at the Last Supper with Peter, who did not understand His intention at the time. Let Him act within us, remembering that if He does not wash us we will have no part in Him.
"Although the ways of the Lord are unfathomable and His intentions are not always clear, He can teach us His statutes, and, having reached the final goal, we will see only God’s love and truth in everything. So take courage, go resolutely forward! ‘The visible is temporary, but the invisible is eternal’ (2 Cor: 4, 18).
“Grace and truth is in Christ Jesus, in Whom there is comfort and salvation and light.”
A Lewis connection which comes to mind is from a letter to Mary Willis Shelburne of 17 June, 1963:
"Remember, tho’ we struggle against things because we are afraid of them, it is often the other way round–we get afraid because we struggle. Are you struggling, resisting? Don’t you think Our Lord says to you ‘Peace, child, peace. Relax. Let go. Underneath are the everlasting arms. Let go, I will catch you. Do you trust me so little?’ "
Dimitry
“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Love will last forever.” (1 Corinthians 13: 4-8)
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