"Ordinary people"

"There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations - these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub and exploit - immortal horrors or everlasting splendors."
~"The Weight of Glory" in Screwtape Proposes a Toast by C.S. Lewis

This speaks loudly to me with glorious implications. God is taking me on a journey - as He is with all whom obtain this "salvation" offered - and He reminds me of that. It is no coincidence that I have recently come to understand more and more this word "salvation" and have now stumbled upon C.S. Lewis' words explaining the value and fragility of life. Both go hand in hand. Both are issues of life. Pursuing life does not stop at our own salvation - our own obtaining of life - it continues on. One of the biggest ways it does so is with others, their daily salvation called life.

Something I seem to struggle with is my relationship with people. I'm not too good with making new friends and meeting new people, yet I want to. And I'm not always so naturally eager to invest in one’s life, yet I also want to. Lewis is obviously revealing the value of a life in his statement: "There are no ordinary people". I have been chewing on these words for a few days now, and lately I seem to be reminded of the necessity to invest in one’s life and by doing so, show them the gospel. Now, I obviously don't mean street evangelism - that's not what I'm talking about; I mean full-on, no-strings-attached, legit investments into the lives of these [so-called] "ordinary people". And not like the modern day Pharisees either, with a bull horn in one hand and a track in the other; but like Jesus, who said "let me be your friend, let me be a part of your life, let me disciple you",. All people; the people we see everyday - those we joke with, sit next to, or even just walk by - they all deserve to be listened to, understood, and most difficult of all, loved.

We begin to see the world turn over on its head when we start to care more about immortal people rather than mortal objects of idolatry. But the good news is, is that even if it may not seem like it at first, it's far more beautiful on that side.

I'm moving soon, and I feel more encouraged than ever to - while still valuing and maintaining current relationships here - pursue the opportunities at hand for new investments in people's lives. Community may be one of the greatest gifts God has given us; and while understanding the eternal value of the statement that "there are no ordinary people", I want to use that gift to create gloriously beautiful things - "everlasting splendors".