Wordy Wednesday: Incredible, Incomprehensible Sweep
I started Madeleine L’Engle’s The Irrational Season. I’ve been trying to avoid re-reads this year, so I’m thrilled to have some L’Engle I haven’t read. This one might be tricky, though, as it is definitely centering on her faith and ideas … and we disagree on many things.
I love the way she writes, though …
When I think of the incredible, incomprehensible sweep of creation above me, I have the strange reaction of feeling fully alive. Rather than feeling lost and unimportant and meaningless, set apart against galaxies which go beyond the reach of the furthest telescopes, I feel that my life has meaning. Perhaps I should feel insignificant, but instead I feel a soaring in my heart that the God who could create all this–and out of nothing–can still count the hairs of my head. (pg 11)
and, seriously, who punctuates this way … but it’s perfect:
It is the nature of love to create, and no matter what we do to creation, that love is still there, creating; in the young man who is holding his jacket closed across his chest; in you; in me. (pg 13)
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Neat that you noticed the punctuation. I was surprised to find it fascinating. I understand about her different theology.
An epiphany today, thanks to you!
My pastor preached about love on Sunday (from John's "Feed my Sheep" passage) and one of the things he said was that John was right that "God is love." but that we cannot turn that statement around and say "Love is God" … if we do we make love into an idol and something ugly rather than beautiful. Sometimes, I think L'Engle turns that statement around, and that's where I have troubles with her writing.
What a good distinction! I think that makes a lot of sense about several other writers I like but find unorthodox too.