Happiness And Wonder That Makes You Serious

Yesterday I came across this C.S. Lewis quote: ‘There is a kind of happiness and wonder that makes you serious. It is too good to waste on jokes.’

When I was younger, I enjoyed Lewis’ ‘happiness and wonder’ when I was running. Forrest Gump said: ‘Now you wouldn’t believe me if I told you, but I could run like the wind blows…’ On a good day that’s how it felt

I identified with Eric Liddell, known through ‘Chariots of Fire’: ‘God made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure.’

Last night’s BBC’s Winterwatch included a film of a murmuration of starlings over Eastbourne. Thousands of starlings were swooping in perfect formation. We often see them here in Lowestoft at dusk over the harbour.

It’s an incredible wildlife phenomenon that brings me ‘happiness and wonder’.

The Children of Israel are slaves of Pharoah. Moses, their leader, says ‘Let my people go.’ Pharoah says, ‘No.’

God sends a series of plagues; eventually they leave Egypt. Pharoah and his army pursue the Israelites; they’re trapped between the Red Sea and the Egyptian army. Helpless and terrified they complain to their God.

Moses tells the people: ‘Do not be afraid… The Lord will fight for you. You need only to be still.’ Then Moses lifts up his staff, the Red Sea waters part, Israel escapes…

These words about being still and trusting have helped me in my faith over the years, leading me towards ‘happiness and wonder’.

Yesterday I heard the Jewish midrash – a legend that’s not in the Bible – about this story…

…The Egyptian army is closing in; the sea isn’t moving. A Jew named Nachshon walks into the water, up to his ankles, to his knees, his waste, his shoulders… When he’s about to go under the water the waters parted.

Sometimes faith in God needs to be demonstrated in brave, outrageous action; it’s only then that miracles happen.

I’m left again with happiness and wonder that makes me serious.