Greatness and wretchedness - two sides of the same coin.

Blaise Pascal ( 1623-62) is best remembered for his genius in mathematics. Yet on November 23rd 1654 he had  profound experience with God in a religious community in Port Royal. So profound that he spent the next six years there. He wrote down his rather random thoughts and notions of God.  Upon is early death aged 39 they were collated together in a now famous book Pensees.

Pascal believes God created us for glory, innocence and perfection but because like Adam and Eve we choose to go our own way. We fall into self centredness and independence from God causing us to  fall into pride and lust. Pride causes us to be distant from God and Lust binds us to the carnal things of the earth not heaven. Pascal studied all the religions of his time as he noted how man attempts to meet with God while trying to retain control. His encounter with Jesus led him to see that only through was giving away control and following him. Could we let go of all that held us back ,the pride and the lust? Because we in ourselves can do little of eternal value without the second Adam..... Jesus Christ.

Hence we have this dual capacity to walk in greatness with God and fall into wretchedness in our desire for control and self satisfaction. When we look at ourselves the dual capacity is so close to us. We flip and flop in and out of both of those states in the same day, in the same hour. To me that is what make our journey so amazing, it maybe slow but if we stick at it God, he will work wonders that will make the greatness side stronger and more often as we seek him.

It reminds me of the often quoted scripture Jeremiah 29:11

Jeremiah 29:11-13New International Version (NIV)

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

This is the promise of a journey to greatness, But as we add the conditions in scripture in Jeremiah 29:12 and 13, we begin to understand how Pascal saw us overcoming our wretchedness little by little, day by day. Our Father working in small but important miracles in us on a regular basis. This allows you and me to look at our wretchedness at our worst and know there is HOPE! There is always grace to try again!

Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

May you find HOPE as you walk your journey this week.