Imitation of Christ / Ender's Game

A few thoughts on Imitation of Christ:
I really enjoyed this book... it was challenging, honest, and remarkably relevant, considering it was written by a German monk about 500 years ago. To think that after centuries this simple man's words have become arguably the second most read book in history (next to the Bible) is amazing! And all too often, they ring very true... like looking in a mirror of humanity.

I didn't agree with all of Thomas a Kempis' ideas. For instance, I think he really downplayed the importance of other people, constantly stressing the importance of solitude to the point of promoting reclusion. Yes, I would be the first to say that solitude is incredibly important, but I also know that life wasn't meant to be lived alone. People and relationships are complex and messy and frustrating... but in the midst of it all, frustratingly beautiful and vital to a whole life. God Himself decided it wasn't good for man to be alone... I don't think He would want us to isolate ourselves in the name of becoming more "spiritual."

Another frustrating thing about this book is that there were plenty of moments where I thought to myself, "that's just fine and dandy and probably very Christlike... oh yeah, and impossible!" Conversely, maybe the impossibility of truly imitating Christ -- even though that's what we're called to do! -- turns out to be the most humbling and freeing thing. To know that I could never live up to the standard save for the grace of God makes me breathe a little easier... feel a little more grateful. I'm sorry that he didn't focus on the grace more... there seemed to be an awful lot of "how to live a holy life"... a lot of focus on works.

Then again, the paradox. Seeing these ideals spelled out really shifted my focus. I would say this is an important book for Christians to read... there are some truly wise words in those 75 pages. Brevity, simplicity, and humility sum it up well. I will return to it often, I'm sure... if for no other reason, to thank God that I don't have to live up to that standard... but imagine how much better the world could be if we all at least tried...

A favorite gem of a quote from Imitation:
"Try to bear patiently with the defects and infirmities of others, whatever they may be, because you also have many a fault which others must endure."

Ouch. :)

***

On a less pious note (lol)... Ender's Game! I don't think I've picked up a good sci-fi novel since I finished my sf literature class last summer. This book reminds me of why I love good, well-written sf. Only two more chapters to go (sitting around all day recovering from a root canal = lots and lots of time to read!). I'm aiming to finish it tonight.

I'll jot down more thoughts when I'm finished, but two points that keep coming up while I read it:
1) Wow, this book can be disturbing. As dystopian stories should be. But I do like it when a book written over 30 years ago seems to predict technology and trends of the future... a mark of good, imaginative sci-fi and one of the reasons I like the genre in the first place. (Locke and Demosthenes... the original watchbloggers?)
2) I keep forgetting all the main characters are... kids. Like, Ender is 6 at the beginning of the story, but in my mind's eye, he keeps ending up older. Kind of like Charles Wallace in A Wrinkle in Time... and it makes the story that much more disturbing.

Off to finish it then! Assuming I don't... fall asleep.