“Sometimes Pierre remembered stories he had heard about how soldiers at war, taking cover under enemy fire, when there is nothing to do, try to find some occupation for themselves so as to endure the danger more easily. And to Pierre all people seemed to be such soldiers, saving themselves from life: some with ambition, some with cards, some with drafting laws, some with women, some with playthings, some with horses, some with politics, some with hunting, some with wine, some with affairs of state. ‘Nothing is either trivial or important, it’s all the same; only save yourself from it as best you can!’ thought Pierre. ‘Only not to see it, that dreadful it.’” ~ Tolstoy, War & Peace
But Jesus... He interrupts our despair and our life-avoidance mechanisms, turns us towards Himself, and baptizes us in fire and Love.
And then he smiles, turns us back again -- back to our work, our service, our relationships, even our pleasures -- and says, "I have come that you may have life. And life to the fullest!” He has saved us from life; he has saved us to Life.
