The Barns of the "Noble"

This afternoon I went to a bookstore to purchase some muse material. A bookstore is like a silo of knowledge. A veritable barn where people, more "noble" than us, house their works. Until one day we request that they impart their wisdom to us, and for a semi-reasonable sum they are happy to do so. Being cheap and moderately poor the first place I stopped by was the bargain book section. There I found all of the books that peaked my interest. Books on places I have never been and always wished to go. Like the Louvre for instance. I may never make it there but for $8 I can help pay for some photographers to visit a place he has already been, and in return I get to keep some of his prints of the historic site. All the while wondering if it still smells like mahogany and linseed oil, and wishing I could get an up close look at Durer's "Praying Hands" which mine should resemble more often. There were also biographies of great people whom I wish to emulate. "How to" books on skills I wish to learn.

I then made my way to the Christian section where I was disappointed to find there was only one author whom was represented that interested me. I bought "a grief observed" by C.S. Lewis which was recommended to me by a good friend from work. The rest was junk.

C.S. Lewis wrote "Has this world been so kind to you that you should leave with regret? There are better things ahead than any we leave behind." I believe this to be completely true. So why do Christians keep writing books that enable people to cling to what plagues them? Do we not realize we are oppressed and impressed by the greedy? That they squeeze the life out of all who are not on their monetary level? Who needs another book on how to fill your bank when our hearts are empty!? Did anyone ever stop to think that if they and their spouse don't love God more than each other their marriage CAN NOT be all it is supposed to be? A good marriage doesn't start in the kitchen (though I'm sure that part helps) it starts in the Church! We as a faith are really good at telling people what they can't do. Yet we ignore what we are supposed to tell people TO do!

So even though I wish to be published one day and my books may share shelves with T.D. Jakes, Joel Osteen and the likes. Here is the only thing I know that is worth paying anything for. Follow Christ. Forever. Without abandon. Until you realize nothing here is worth anything. Not even your life. Just remember two things when you pick this little tidbit off the shelf, and it comes time to pay for it. #1) It will cost you everything you think is yours. #2) There are no cuts in the line, so get there before the store closes.

Let's see Harry Potter beat that line!

*sigh* My legs are getting sore... I can't wait for Jesus to check me out.

Anthony