I have been thinking of Narnia a lot lately. I love the books. I love their allusions to all things Biblical. I love the pictures they paint. Similarly, I’ve thought a lot about Jesus, his triumphant entry into a city where only days later HE would die for ME. Tonight, after the kids went to bed, I sat down at the computer to look up some of my favorite quotes from the books. So let’s look at a few quotes, several bits of scripture and a thought or two from me.
#1
“Aslan” said Lucy “you’re bigger”.
“That is because you are older, little one” answered he.
“Not because you are?”
“I am not. But every year you grow, you will find me bigger”.”
-C.S. Lewis, Prince Caspian
My God is big! Bigger than I could have ever imagined as a child. Bigger than I could ever imagine as an adult. He breathed life into Adam. He created all. He parted the sea so that a Jewish nation could cross on dry land. He stretched out HIS arms on a cross and took my place…HE took your place! All you have to do is accept HIS gift! Is HE growing bigger to you? Or as scripture talks of, are you still a newborn feeding on milk? Seek and you will find!
#2
“Welcome, Prince,’ said Aslan. ‘Do you feel yourself sufficient to take up the Kingship of Narnia?’
I – I don’t think I do, Sir,’ said Caspian. ‘I am only a kid.’
Good,’ said Aslan. ‘If you had felt yourself sufficient, it would have been proof that you were not.”
-C.S. Lewis, Prince Caspian
WOW! What a quote…trust me, it is not until we are totally dependent on HIM do we find true freedom and life!
Ephesians 2 “And although you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you formerly lived according to this world’s present path, according to the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the ruler of the spirit that is now energizing the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom all of us also formerly lived out our lives in the cravings of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath even as the rest…
4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of his great love with which he loved us, 5 even though we were dead in transgressions, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you are saved!— 6 and he raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 to demonstrate in the coming ages the surpassing wealth of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 it is not from works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared beforehand so we may do them.”
#3
“Safe?” said Mr. Beaver; “don’t you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”
-C.S. Lewis, The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe
God is GOOD All the time and ALL the time, God is GOOD! When you seek HIM, you will find HIM. It will be the grandest adventure EVER…bigger than you could ever imagine. Harder than you would hope BUT better than ANYTHING you’ll ever do!
Philippians 4: 12 “I have experienced times of need and times of abundance. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of contentment, whether I go satisfied or hungry, have plenty or nothing. 13 I am able to do all things through the one who strengthens me.”
These verses tells us that even Paul didn’t “have it made”…he had been snake-bitten, ship-wrecked, stoned with the intent to kill, imprisoned…that’s definitely not safe! But as he was waiting in prison, knowing that he is going to die soon, he writes:
2 Timothy 4:1 “I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 Preach the message, be ready whether it is convenient or not, reprove, rebuke, exhort with complete patience and instruction. 3 For there will be a time when people will not tolerate sound teaching. Instead, following their own desires, they will accumulate teachers for themselves, because they have an insatiable curiosity to hear new things. 4 And they will turn away from hearing the truth, but on the other hand they will turn aside to myths. 5 You, however, be self-controlled in all things, endure hardship, do an evangelist’s work, fulfill your ministry. 6 For I am already being poured out as an offering, and the time for me to depart is at hand. 7 I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith! 8 Finally the crown of righteousness is reserved for me. The Lord, the righteous Judge, will award it to me in that day—and not to me only, but also to all who have set their affection on his appearing.”
It inspires me to keep running that race!
#4
“But I will not tell you how long or short the way will be; only that it lies across a river. But do not fear that, for I am the great Bridge Builder.”
-C.S. Lewis, Voyage of the Dawn Treader
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He GAVE HIS ONLY SON, that whoever believes in HIM shall be saved.”
That’s a bridge I tell you! Think Golden Gate only with an eternal purpose. He took our sins, so that the cross would span the gap between us and eternal life with our Heavenly Father. I urge you to seek HIM, trust HIM and let HIS blood span the gap for you!
Remember that if you ever need me, I’m here…
Laura (clevengers@bellsouth.net)
The C's Calling 