Satis House

One of the key buildings of the Charles Dickens novel "Great Expectations" is Miss Havisham's home "Satis House". Any Latin scholars amongst you will realise the name of this building is immensely ironic as "Satis" is Latin for "enough" yet throughout this book "Enough House" does not prove enough or satisfactory for any of the characters. We may scoff at the idea of a building being enough to satisfy us but is this not what modern materialistic culture teaches? Is that not what bombards us from our tv screens? "You'll be happy, successful and good looking if you use this product, drive this car or go to this destination on holidays" is the picture presented by the adverts. Our society is searching for happiness in the wrong place. True satisfaction will only be found in Christ "who brings good news of happiness" (Isaiah 52:7).

Satis House

Yet even Christians can feel unsatisfied. Why is this so? Because even as Christians we can search for happiness in the wrong places. We can begin to think that contentment will be found in wealth, ability or relationships. These things may bring happiness for a time but if this is what you are finding happiness in your peace will not last. Paul writes in Philippians "I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content"(Phil 4:11). This kind of satisfaction will only be found in Christ, the satisfaction which remains even when our plans fall to pieces and we face disappointments, which can only be obtained through the humilty to place ourselves fully in Christ's pierced hands not chasing our Satis House.

A copy less dog-eared than my own!

"Great Changes"

For my A-level English I am currently reading Charles Dicken's Great Expectations. I'm not very far into it yet but I'm enjoying it so far. Don't spoil it for me and tell me how it ends! At the end of chapter nine the chief protagonist (that's A-level English speak for main character!) and narrator Pip makes a very interesting comment whilst reflecting on the experiences of one day. He says:

"That was a memorable day to me, for it made great changes in me. But it is the
same with any life. Imagine one selected day struck out of it, and think how
different its course would have been. Pause you who read this, and think for a
moment of the long chain of iron or gold, of thorns or flowers, that would never
have bound you but for the formation of the first link on one memorable day."

As Christians we don't believe in fate but there is a lesson to be drawn from these words. We all know that one day or event can make "huge changes". Whether it is on the world-scale, such as 9/11, or in an individual's life. If you have placed your trust in Christ you will be able to see the impact that it has made on your actions, priorities and life. We aren't however to keep the good news of the gospel to ourselves Jesus has told us to "Go and make disciples"Matt29:18 (ESV). If we share the gospel Christ may choose to use us to tell someone the message that will make "great changes" in their life and place it on a different course, heaven-bound instead of hell-bound.

Picture of the copy of the novel I own. Notice the £2 proudly stamped on front cover, no expense spared by the English Department!