"Eros"

There were a few points of Lewis' section on "Eros", the love between a man and a woman that I found very interesting. The first is that happiness is not necessarily a result of love, or even a goal. Lewis argues that people in love often would rather suffer together than be happy apart. Logic does not matter, trying to argue to the couple that they would be better off apart would be useless. Here, sometimes fortunately, sometimes unfortunately, I think Lewis is right. I know several couples who do not seem to bring each other any kind of happiness and yet, there they are, staying together. In fact, with one or two couples I've seen they seem far more unhappy when they are together; but I would never suggest they split up, because even if it were in their best interests, I know that I would not be listened to. Love can be blind, as the saying goes. However, this dedication is not all bad. It also means that the couple will not easily be split up, they will perhaps be more willing to stick together in hard times.

A second point Lewis makes that I found intriguing is that love itself can become an idol. It is not that we put the object of our love, our significant other, on a pedestal but rather that the love it self becomes a god to us. Love can become an excuse, a reason for doing things, whispering little things in our ear telling us to do things. I am reminded of a story I was once told, though I'm not sure if it was true or not. A man was very in love with a girl and they had decided to get married. Unfortunately the man didn't have enough money for a ring, but he desperately wanted to give one to his future wife. So, he broke into a diamond store and attempted to steal one, getting caught and thrown in jail in the process, believing he was doing it because of love, and his love made the theft o.k.. In the end, he could not give his girlfriend the ring, and more importantly, he could not be with her for years. Love had become his idol, and ruined him and his relationship.

Love between a man and a woman can be one of the most beautiful things in this world. However, if not entered into in the right spirit, it can be a bad thing. Lewis also used the beautiful analogy of a person diving into a pool. Falling in love is like diving: effortless and easy. It is swimming once you are in the pool that is the hard part, that is being In love. I know that I have certainly felt like I have fallen in love before, but I also know that I have never been in love. Being in love moves beyond the momentary joy of first finding a relationship, or looking at a pretty girl, it is a real desire for the person themselves, with them desiring you also. It is being willing to sacrifice and do nearly anything for the person you love (though this can get you into trouble). Eros is also, as we discussed in class, the closest thing we can get to the eternal love God has for us, and, like God's love, is incredibly valuable.