"I have only made this letter longer because I have not had the time to make it shorter." ~ Blaise Pascal, 1657
I love this Pascal quote because I write one-minute devotions. And my writer friends and I agree that it often takes more time to write something short and meaningful than to write something long and meaningful.
Pascal was a 17th-century genius who loved Jesus and encouraged other intellectuals to seek Jesus with their hearts, not simply their minds.
He's most well-known for "Pascal's Wager": If the gospel is true and you accept Christ, you have everything to win. If it's not true, you've lost nothing.
This wager isn't completely true because a person must sincerely seek God to find Him (Jeremiah 29:13; Matthew 7:7). But most of what Pascal wrote was biblically sound, emphasizing salvation by grace, not human merit.
He was a man who fully used his God-given skills, writing about theology, science, and mathematics, and inventing the calculator, syringe, hydraulic lift, and wristwatch.
Note: I'm not Catholic, and even though Blaise Pascal belonged to a faction of the Catholic church that rejected some Catholic doctrine, evangelicals probably would have disagreed with him regarding certain Catholic doctrines. But I believe he genuinely loved the Lord and did his best to serve Him faithfully. If you would like to have a more detailed explanation of why I believe Pascal was a true believer, please read Do Protestants Think Catholics are Saved?
He was a man who fully used his God-given skills, writing about theology, science, and mathematics, and inventing the calculator, syringe, hydraulic lift, and wristwatch.
Before his death at age thirty-nine, he experienced enormous health, financial, and spiritual challenges, but he didn't let them stop him from impacting his world for the Lord.
God had purposes for Pascal's life, and Pascal made the most of the skills and opportunities God gave him (Ephesians 2:10). God has purposes for our lives as well. We may not be famous theologians or scientists, but let's do our best to fulfill God's purposes (Ephesians 5:15-16)!
Well, I could write more, but I've taken time to make this short. 😊
God had purposes for Pascal's life, and Pascal made the most of the skills and opportunities God gave him (Ephesians 2:10). God has purposes for our lives as well. We may not be famous theologians or scientists, but let's do our best to fulfill God's purposes (Ephesians 5:15-16)!
Well, I could write more, but I've taken time to make this short. 😊
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I encourage you to read Great Creation Scientists. For more encouragement about God's purposes for your life, see Andrew—A Behind-the-Scenes Christian and Slip On Your Own Shoes.
Image: Public domain
Check out the Wisdom for Life devotional. It contains 100 one-minute devotions to challenge, encourage, instruct, and inspire your love for God's Word: Wisdom for Life. Read the story behind Wisdom for Life HERE. Find out about the two free Bible studies with purchase HERE. You can read the first four devotions in the book by clicking "look inside" on Lifeway or Amazon.
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I really enjoyed reading this post Gail. I have loved reading many of his quotes (especially some you just shared here) and therefore this history lesson was much appreciated! Have a lovely weekend!
ReplyDeleteThis is a very interesting post. So many times intellectuals get sidetracked from following the Lord. After college our daughter started to sway in different popular new age ways, but the Good Lord brought her back. If nothing is going right in your life and you get desperate, who do you turn to? That's right . . . the one and only true Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. My husband and I are very happy to say that your daughter is back in the right lane and raising her daughters to know the Lord. I think that her short time in the wilderness was one of the best lessons in life and that she will remember it as a place she doesn't want to be and a place where she certainly doesn't want her daughters to go. He is so wise and He knows exactly what we need. The best part is that He uses all the bad times and turns them to good, to those that love Him :)
ReplyDeleteWell, I need to go back and read your post again . . .because I didn't keep it short :)
Have a lovely weekend.
Connie :)
Is been two years since your comment but here today, it brings hope and comfort to my heart. Perfect timing..
DeleteThank you. Love reading your posts.
ReplyDeleteI heard this comment by the man who baptized me years ago. I didn't realize that this comment was that old!
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting this I am saving this because it really is touching and it's something I want to remember about this man who was very very smart and loved Jesus.
ReplyDelete