Day 26: C.S. Lewis - “Serving Through Words”
“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”
Introduction
C.S. Lewis wasn’t a traveling evangelist, but he reached the skeptical and curious around the world through his books. Although he always acknowledged that he wrote as a layman and not as a trained theologian, his writings helped countless people accept Christ and grow in their faith. God gave Lewis a gift of words, and Lewis committed to using them to serve.
Serving Through Words
Lewis wasn’t a Christian during his early life. In fact, he was writing for many years before accepting Christ. Once he did, the purpose of his writings started to change. After becoming a Christian, Lewis felt a strong conviction to write about the Christian faith and clarify it for others, especially for skeptics like his former self.
One notable work is Mere Christianity (which originated from his BBC radio talks during World War II). In it, he makes logical cases for the core tenets of Christianity. Take, for example, this line: “If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.” Lewis argues that the deepest longings of our hearts—the need for love, joy, and purpose—suggest that we belong to God because no earthly pleasure can fulfill them. This helped many unbelievers because Lewis wrote philosophically and appealed to human experience. He didn’t use religious jargon that would be foreign to most skeptics. Lewis wrote for everyday readers and helped clarify Christian thought.
Lewis’s works are still read today and continue to introduce people to Christianity. He was already a talented writer before accepting Christ, but when he surrendered himself to God, his vocation and talents became instruments for God’s kingdom.
Reflection
Lewis served through writing. He teaches us to use our words to bless others, whether by saying an encouraging word or talking about our faith. Lewis used words, but God gives different gifts to different people. What other gift has God given you that you can bless someone with? Ask Him to reveal how you can exercise it for His glory. If you’re unsure, pray and ask for the Holy Spirit to guide you in serving others in ways only you can.