Malcolm Muggeridge

Let us then as Christians rejoice that we see around us on every hand the decay of the institutions and the instruments of power, see intimations of empires falling to pieces, money in total disarray, dictators and parliamentarians alike nonplussed by the confusion and conflicts which encompass them. For it is precisely when every earthly hope has been explored and found wanting, when every possibility of help from earthly sources has been sought and is not forthcoming, when every recourse this world offers, moral as well as material, has been explored to no effect, when in the shivering cold the last faggot has been thrown on the fire and in the gathering darkness every glimmer of light has finally flickered out, it's then that Christ's hand reaches out sure and firm. Then Christ's words bring their inexpressible comfort, then his light shines brightest, abolishing the darkness forever. So, finding in everything only deception and nothingness, the soul is constrained to have recourse to God Himself and to rest content with Him.

—Malcolm Muggeridge, The End of Christendom ©1980, p56, quoted in Bruner and Ware, Finding God in the Lord of the Rings, p75.
Posted by Tim at 3/16/2009 06:59:00 PM
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2 comments:

  1. Anonymous3/19/2009 06:26:00 PM

    I think I understand this quote, but not sure I go with it. Maybe I'm too tied to this life, but it seems to me we Christians should be providing a redeeming element, wishing to see people thank God in their blessings. I'm sure the last sentence is true, but I've prayed (literally) that I learn the lessons before it gets that bad! Oh well, maybe I need to renounce the flesh some more.
    Love, Dad

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  2. Tim3/19/2009 07:15:00 PM

    Rejoice is a strong word, but I think he was trying to make a point. It is certainly a unusual perspective.

    Often people ask for prayer for things like a better economy or an end to a war. Sometimes I ask why they think that thing is God's will, and get only funny looks. We should certainly pray for those things as they affect Christians, but how much else? You are right that there is such a thing as common grace, from God and through His people.

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