A Conversation with C.S Lewis
Let us always use wisdom and discernment in such matters.
A few months ago, I ran across a rare audio message by C.S. Lewis. I decided to convert the message into a video, which I posted on YouTube. I’m not a whiz at video production, and the project took most of the day. During that time, my mind became obsessed with the message of this beloved saint whose writings have inspired so many believers. Although I’ve only read a few of his books (The Chronicles of Narnia are still on my list of books to read), Lewis has inspired me more than anyone else with the exception of Jesus himself. The reason he inspires me so is his gift of writing.
Being a writer, I gravitate toward gifted writers. I draw inspiration from them and pick up tips and learn from their examples as I hone my own writing skills. It’s hard to think of anyone who so eloquently and so intelligently wrote about the issues that believers wrestle with. We all need role models and over the years, I’ve adopted Clive (known to his friends as Jack) as the main person by which I gauge my own writing and at times, my own thinking. While writing I often wonder to myself, how would Lewis have addressed this issue? How would he build this argument?
I never had a chance to meet Lewis. He became a member of the great cloud of witnesses in 1963. The day I created the video, I spent an unusually long period of time wondering about him and reflecting on how his life has affected mine. Time itself seemed to stand still that afternoon, and then I went to sleep.
I had a dream that night where Lewis paid me a visit. The purpose of our meeting was so that he could teach me a few things about writing. I did not see him in the way you might typically see someone in a dream. It’s not as though we were sitting at a table talking. I simply knew I was in his presence, the way you know with certainty facts in dreams. I also did not hear him speak the way you typically hear someone speak in a dream. I did not hear that distinctive accent. He spoke to me spirit-to-spirit through the transmission of thoughts.
So there I was in a dream, being tutored by the spirit of one of my favorite men. And what he shared was surprisingly practical.
Mike Parsons has met with a number of people from the cloud of witnesses. According to him, when these saints minister to us, they tend to help people who are engaged in endeavors similar to their own calling. They usually share practical advice on how to avoid certain problems they ran into when they were on earth and involved in their own body of work. They tend to give suggestions about how to accomplish things with expediency and efficiency, to shorten the learning curve for us, so to speak. And that’s exactly what Lewis did.
He told me about how the proper selection of words was critical to being a successful writer and illustrated his point with several stories about the problems he ran into by not choosing the right words. He noted that our choice of words creates either a favorable or an unfavorable experience in the mind of the reader and that the selection of one word or another can make a huge difference in how our writing is perceived. He gave several examples of how the choice of this word or that one created a completely different set of circumstances and told me to choose my words with care. That’s a brief summary of the dream.
Some would argue that this was nothing more than the result of eating too much pizza. Some would say my mind was working out the issue I was focused on that day. Others would say it was an evil spirit masquerading as Lewis. It’s possible that this was the Holy Spirit or Jesus, teaching me through a persona that I was familiar with. And some would say it was Lewis himself who was granted access to me that night so that he might assist me in advancing God’s plans for my life.
I’ll leave it up to you to decide for yourself. But if you believe that the saints are still alive and engaged in the work of advancing God’s kingdom, you might consider asking the Lord if He would send you a helper, the way He sent me one.
I suppose you know where I will land on this. I’m even now asking for a helper to be sent my way so I can engage in advancing the Kingdom more effectively. This resonated with my spirit as I read it, just like listening to Lewis on the video that you made did.
Lewis hasn’t been a mentor of mine but that’s really not the point. The point is we all need help and instruction in this life so if we can realize the advantage we have to call upon the Lord in specific ways, our learning can take less time than we had ever imagined. I see it working like an impartation. We get something that someone else worked to get and they simply gave it to us, already done and/or figured out. If I can have someone who has walked in similar giftings that I have come and instruct me I say that is an advantage I will whole-heartedly embrace.
We are all different and have different giftings, etc. but we all want to advance the Kingdom. I pray that we will use every advantage that is afforded us and get on with our Father’s business.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, Hebr. 12:1, I know many who had such experiences, and the fruits were good, so I believe it is of the Lord, who said once; ‘ I have yet many things to say unto you, but you cannot (yet) bear them…. ‘ How did Peter see it when God told him to kill and eat unclean animals? Jesus talked with Elias and Moses, and said that we would do greater things than he did…. According to your faith be it unto you….. If it is not of faith , it is sin, but if it is of faith it is okay….
Loved This
LOVE this! Thank you for sharing. What an incredible gift. 😀 <3
This is so amazing ..wow!! What wondrous ways God has !
I believe that Holy Spirit is our Helper, yet know that the Spirit of our Father and his Lamb can speak through books, song lyrics, other people, nature, experiences, etc. etc. “For God speaks in one way, and in two, though man does not perceive it. In a dream, visions in the night, when deep sleep falls upon men, while they slumber on their beds, then he opens the ears of men…gives warnings, that he may turn us…cut off pride from men; keeps back our soul from danger and our life from perishing” Job 33:14-18.
Writing can speak volumes when its source is the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and it carries the Presence of the Living One. As long as we have the Spirit of God abiding in us, as we abide in the Spirit, our discernment is active, and we can know if the source is the Most High or an astral, familiar, or elemental spirit. May you be blessed! I am looking forward to reading your inspired writing! Yvonne
ya, if it really was CSLewis you would have shared a pint as well. hmm? lol
totally love this and get it. i would have loved to be a fly o the wall those days of pipes and pipes when they all got together. did they know they were changing history? by writing. just as you are an agent for change. so glad you are part of my part of the big world!
thanks for sharing this
That’s funny. The first thing I did was ask for a helper.
Medic! Your writing style is very fluent to read. I think the dream worked!
Thank you John!
Yes, thank you and 100% what God wanted me to know today!! THis very day. After the death yesterday of my precious only friend
I am a Lewis fan. This was good. Thanks.
Please add me to your mailing list
I believe it could happen! Your writing blesses me. I like the style.
Medic
You are opening me to the more that i have been praying for.
More than just learning, maybe calling also that i had given up on. This article is great but not all i am talking aobut here. You have given me a resourse that God has available that i have never thought of before, God has chosen to work through His saints on earth why would he stop simply because their bodys gave out.
Love CS . . . Screwtape Letters was a real eye-opener . . . good works beget more good works . . . I am a writer also PM and you are a good communicator . . . keep up the good works and peace IN †
Thanks Keith <3