I didn’t travel back to the States over Christmas, but I was on the delightful receiving end of one very crowded suitcase that opened more like a treasure chest. I pulled out books, magazines, baking supplies, and gifts that seemed to be pining for a place under my borrowed (and fake) Honduran Christmas tree.

One of the beautiful things I opened came with an inscription from a mentor I admire very much, “…learn from the sages of the ages.” The book compiled various writings from people who influenced the life and works of C.S. Lewis, one of my heroes. I’ve always said I would love it if there was a place up in heaven that is slightly peculiar and quite like a nook. I can smell the aged pages, the worn leather seats, and the pipe on the antique side table. The stacks of books are neatly askew and the shelves are exactly full of the best classics.

Okay, I’ll hop out of my dreamworld because I should probably hop into actual dreamworld. The bottomline is: today I found some great wisdom that has nothing to do with modern thinking or progress or post-modern mumbo-jumbo.

This quote from A.W.  Tozer tells it like it is:

“The best thing is neither to seek nor avoid troubles but to follow Christ and take the bitter with the sweet as it may come. Whether we are happy or unhappy at any given time is not important. That we be in the will of God is all that matters. We may safely leave with him the incident of heartache or happiness. He will know how much we need of either or both.”

I know that’s a far leap from my ranting about my library hangout in heaven with my good pal C.S. Lewis, but I love that these words get down to the nuts and bolts of things. Twice today (within the first couple hours of work) I was reminded that my reaction to frustrations can either dig a deeper hole or search for the sun. I stepped out of my selfish and petty ways for a moment to see that following is Christ is most important, then second to take things as they come. If I’m obsessing over the bitter/sweet then my eyes are clearly not focused on the One who can take me through either, offering joy on the other side.

Anyway, thanks A.W. Tozer for bringing some wisdom back! (I smell another parody… watch out Justin Timberlake I think I’ve got a hit – “We’re bringin’ wisdom back…”)

let LOVE fly like cRaZy