About six years ago, with another student-led Protect Life group, one of the founding members of that group handed me a book. She suggested I finish the book this time. She was only a sophomore in high school, so her insight was impressive, especially since this book was over 70 years old.
Our group had been discussing leadership skills. We talked about asking questions, and seeking truth. There were discussions about "God's will" and following the road less traveled, which is not ever the easy path.
The name of that book was "The Screwtape Letters". It is a book with a message told in a kind of comical manner, certainly loaded with satire. And also loaded with truth.
The fact that it is still relevant after all these years illustrates the insight of the author, C. S. Lewis. It did cause some uncomfortable feelings among some positions. Truth does that. Truth brings things into a clear, transparent light. Keeping things hidden makes it easier to maintain control.
The storyline of "The Screwtape Letters" centers around a mid-level devil mentoring an apprentice devil who is trying to lead his human away from the "Enemy" who is God. This is the "Lowerarchy" leading to Satan.
Here is a quote from that book. The mentor is telling his devil-in-training an important point to help him control his human.
"It is funny how mortals always picture us as putting things into their minds: in reality our best work is done by keeping things out."
We are entering the season of Lent. A time for us to reflect on the example of living a life of truth and compassion for all people. There was a price for that life of truth. It made position holders uncomfortable. Their best work was done by keeping things like truth out of the minds of the ordinary people. So they eliminated the problem. Or so they thought.
Reflecting is nice, but if we don't learn from the past, we will certainly repeat it. Over and over. When questions arise from position holders on why the young people just don't get involved anymore, they ignore that lesson from C.S. Lewis.
When truth is discouraged in favor of maintaining position or because of fear, we lose the next generation of potential leaders.
At the top of the "About Us" page you'll find this quote. “We are too young to realize that certain things are impossible... So we will do them anyway.” William Wilberforce
We tell our team the truth. We put truth in their minds rather than keeping things things out.
This part of the next generation of leaders is ready to be the example that models the life of truth and compassion.
Ralph Willemin
Advisor to the Pewamo Protect Life Team