"The Weight of Glory"

It's interesting to see Lewis' change of opinion over his message (at least about the definition of glory). He states that at first he viewed glory as fame or luminosity, a competitive passion of hell. But as he continues to look into the matter, he discovers that glory is a fame with God, a approval/appreciation by God. Lewis then gives a great example of being a child. "no one can enter heaven except as a child; and nothing is so obvious in a child-- not in a conceited child, but in a good child-- as it's great and undisguised pleasure in being praised". That's the type of glory we need. The type of glory that in a sense says, "God, look at how good I did!" or "Aren't you proud of me?". In order to obtain this glory one must also desire it. "Glory, as Christianity teaches me to hope for it, turns out to satisfy my original desire and indeed to reveal an element in that desire which I have not noticed. By ceasing for a moment to consider my own wants I have begun to learn better what I really wanted". Today more than ever we all suffer what is know as the 'I want' syndrome. I want what will benefit me, I want what will make me happy, I want ____ (fill in the blank). Think about how big of an impact we would make if we shifted our gears a little bit. What if we asked for patience, kindness, self-control...? This world would be a much different place. One thing CS Lewis said really stuck with me through the whole reading. He said; "These things-- the beauty, the memory of our own past-- are good images of what we really desire; but if they are mistaken for the thing itself they turn into dumb idols, breaking the hearts of their worshippers". I love the picture here. Lewis points out that if our desires become the desire itself it will consume us and leave us empty handed and unfulfilled. This reminds me of the "Longing and Hope" chapter in Plantinga's book. Even if we achieve our desires and longings, we'll never be completely satisfied. Only Christ can give us what will truly quench our thirst.