Crucifixion--A Slow Death

On 13 September 1962 C. S. Lewis wrote to a correspondent:

"The whole problem of our life was neatly expressed by John the Baptist when he said (John, chap 3, v. 30) 'He must increase, but I must decrease.' This you have realised. But you are expecting it to happen suddenly: and also expecting that you shd. be clearly aware when it does. But neither of these is usual. We are doing well enough if the slow process of being more in Christ and less in ourselves has made a decent beginning in a long life (it will be completed only in the next world). Nor can we observe it happening. All our reports on ourselves are unbelievable, even in worldly matters (no one really hears his own voice as others do, or sees his own face). Much more in spiritual matters. God sees us, and we don't see ourselves. And by trying too hard to do so, we only get the fidgets and become either too complacent or too much the other way. . . .

"As to your spiritual state, try my plan. I pray 'Lord, show me just so much (neither more nor less) about myself as I need for doing thy will now.'"

Collected Letters of C. S. Lewis, Volume III, pp. 1368-1369.

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