Quote by C.S. Lewis

The settled happiness and security which we all desire, God withholds from us by the very nature of the world: but joy, pleasure, and merriment, He has scattered broadcast. We are never safe, but we have plenty of fun, and some ecstasy. It is not hard to see why. The security we crave would teach us to rest our hearts in this world and oppose an obstacles to our return to God: a few moments of happy love, a landscape, a symphony, a merry meeting with out friends, a bathe or a football match, have no such tendency. Our Father refreshes us on the journey with some pleasant inns, but will not encourage us to mistake them for home.

Summary

This quote by C.S. Lewis highlights the idea that although we may desire and seek settled happiness and security, it is not something God readily grants us in this world. Instead, God generously scatters joy, pleasure, and merriment throughout our lives. Lewis argues that this is because if we were constantly safe and secure, we might become too attached to this world, hindering our return to God. Moments of love, beauty, friendship, and enjoyment, such as a landscape, symphony, or gathering with friends, serve as temporary refreshments on our journey but should not be mistaken as our ultimate home.