In space, astronauts
experience the misery of having no reference point, no force that draws them to
the center. Where there is no "moral gravity"- that is, no force that
draws us to the center- there is spiritual weightlessness. We float on feelings
that will carry us where we were never meant to go; we bubble with emotional
experiences that we often take for spiritual ones; and we are puffed up with
pride. Instead of seriousness, there is foolishness. Instead of gravity,
flippancy. Sentimentality takes the place of theology. Our reference point will
never serve to keep our feet on solid rock. Our reference point, until we
answer God's call, is merely ourselves. We cannot possibly tell which end is
up.
Elisabeth Elliot
