The most important subject that Screwtape discusses at the end of this letter is "the sense of ownership" (page 113). He says that "humans are always putting up claims to ownership". We all see this in our everyday world and we all mutter a sentence or ten every day that includes a possessive connotation. In reality we do not own anything, but it all belongs to God or Satan. Screwtape brings this point up by saying that the ownership that humans put on objects "sound equally funny in Heaven and in Hell". Although we each have our "own" possessions here on earth, the reality is that once we get to heaven none of those possessions actually matter anymore. Our actions here on earth are what will matter once we leave our bodies to live in heaven, so our obsession with possessions here on earth is comical in heaven and hell.
I also thought it was interesting that he brought this sense of owning our time. Often in our daily lives we are interrupted by different people and activities and can react in different ways. Some people choose to graciously accept these interruptions as a way of charity, but other times people choose to get angry, because they feel like "their" time is taken from them. The second response is how Screwtape tells his nephew to help his patient feel. "Let him have the feeling that he starts each day as the lawful possessor of twenty-four hours".
How do you feel about claiming possessions and claiming the day as "yours"? Does it actually get us anywhere in the long run, or is it just a way to get us ahead in the modern world?
I am anxious to hear your thoughts!
4 comments:
As far as claiming possessions go, I think that we are all guilty of it...I know that often times I catch myself seeing things that are strictly my own, and strictly someone else's. And, as for time...that is a big one. Some days, I feel like I have no time for myself, someone else owns my time, be it homework, class, or something that was unplanned that I'm not necessarily happy doing. It is eye-opening to take a step back and realize that our lives are not really our own. I think it's something we all struggle with, but a good thing to try and remember the next time we are swamped with work or caught up in our "me time."
I agree with you that we do not own anything; it all belongs to God or Satan. And, if man would in fact use his "free will" and choose God's side, He would help man with the wisdom to utilize his time wisely, making the day longer so he could enjoy it. The possessions are temporal and who better to know this than the devil (Screwtape) and God. And, if people would pay more attention to their actions toward others, they would have time to be obsessed. God has blessed us with the power of "choice." There has to be that balance with our time, whether it is spending it with God which should be first, with our children, etc...we need to "bend down and smell the roses" every so often. I view the interruptions of people as an opportunity to help others or to value my time; there is a balance in handling these two things as well. Screwtape or the devil just wants man to feel that he is in control and gain a lot of pride so that man will fall prey to self-exaltation. The bible says that pride cometh before a fall and a haughty spirit before destruction. I believe that God wants people to go to Him with their plans for the day and let Him map them out. We can still find our own identities in Him and do as we feel led to do it with His guidance. That is what makes it enjoyable; we can still be us and He can make us happy in it. Satan does not want us happy so listening to his instruction for our day by thinking it is ours to make our own decisions is a huge mistake--very unwise.
Cori, I liked your blog this week and the points you brought up about ownership. I also found it interesting how he talks about once you get to heaven, how any of your possessions on Earth don't really matter. I also liked your comment about how the most important thing here on Earth is not our possessions but our actions and accomplishments because these mean the most. To respond about your second comment, I feel as though we do claim the day as ours and we many people don't appriciate interuptions in their schedules. I think this is because we have a daily routine and our own view of what needs to get done in a day, and any distraction is just a hinderance on that normal routine. GooD Blog!!! :)
This is such an interesting chapter. The thing about not owning any of our possessions is a very intense idea. We should treat everything in respect of God, especially our own bodies. The thing about owning time and getting mad about disruptions is equally amusing and will be interesting to think about from now on when dealing with people and situations I had not thought about dealing with at the beginning of the day.
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