I’ve been delightfully wrapped up in the world of Narnia, as I read the C.S Lewis classic to Mya and Elliot. Maybe it’s reading aloud, maybe it’s because I’m older, maybe it’s because I know the Bible better; the chronicles have become all the more precious, rich, layered and haunting at the same time. The stories hearken truths in the Scripture, the words serve their purpose in the book but also point us to the meta reality – beyond Narnia, beyond England, beyond the reader’s world to the heavenly city in Aslan’s country.
Just as Aslan said to Edmund at the end of “The Voyager of the Dawn Treader” - “This was the very reason why you were brought to Narnia, that by knowing me here for a little, you may know me better there.” Lewis has accomplished this purpose in spades.
Here are 2 of my favorite moments in Price Caspian.
“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.”
Lucy has in fact grown bigger. Yet in God’s grace, Aslan seemed so much bigger. Aslan is the same, but Lucy now has clearer eyes to see. For as a child, we see as a child. The same could not be said for Peter, Susan and Edmund; who did not see Aslan initially. There were blinders in their eyes. The effect of age for one, grew eyes of faith to see how much greater God truly is; and yet for another, caused blindness and failure to see Him for who He truly is.
May I find you bigger with each year I grow Lord, and have
eyes to see You for who You are.
“Hush!” said the other four, for now Aslan had stopped and turned and stood facing them, looking so majestic that they felt as glad as anyone can who feels afraid, and as afraid as anyone can who feels glad. … Then, after an awful pause, the deep voice said, “Susan…. You have listened to fears, child,: said Asland. “Come, let me breathe on you. Forget them Are you brave again?”
“And now, where is
this little Dwarf, this famous swordsman and archer, who doesn’t believe in
lions?” .. Aslan pounced. Have you ever seen a young kitten being carried in
the mother cat’s mouth?
The dwarf flew up
in the air. He was as safe as if he had been in bed, though he did not feel so.
As he came down, the huge velvety paws caught him as gently as a mother's arms,
and set him -- right way up, too -- on the ground.
"Son of Earth, shall we be friends?"
asked Aslan.
"Ye-- uh, Yes," panted the dwarf, for
he had not yet got his breath back.”
Susan throughout their journey to Aslan’s How refused to
believe Aslan was with them and guiding them. She insisted on following her instincts and
conventional wisdom, throwing shade on Lucy many a times. Trumpkin the Dwarf on
the other hand, did not and refused to believe that Aslan is real and exists.
Towards both, I shook my head many a times – “wait till you finally see Aslan! You
will have your reckoning!”
Aslan’s reaction caught me offguard. And once again I was humbled and broken by grace. Aslan did not call them to account, not a chiding remark, not a single word about how wrong they have been. He just embraced them, helped them move past themselves towards a restored relationship with him. How foreign grace is to those who want justice, how little did I understand grace. Is He really that good?
I have been surprised how The Voyage of the Dawn Treader has
captured my heart and imagination so deeply. Watching the motion movie for the
first time might have something to do with it. But I think it’s because life is
more like a journey with many twists and turns, ups and downs; than having
everything lead up to that one epic confrontation or climactic battle. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader's pacing might be atypical and odd at first read, but then you find yourself reliving the journey many times after you close the book.
“But who is Aslan?
Do you know him?"
"Well-he knows me," said Edmund.
"He is the great Lion, the son of the Emperor-beyond-the-Sea, who saved me
and saved Narnia.” …
“Then the lion said
– but I don't know if it spoke – You will have to let me undress you. I was
afraid of his claws, I can tell you, but I was pretty nearly desperate now. So
I just lay flat down on my back to let him do it.
"The very first tear he made was so deep
and I thought it had gone right into my heart. And when he began pulling the
skin off, it hurt worse than anything I've ever felt. The only thing that made
me able to bear it was just the pleasure of feeling the stuff peel off. You
know – if you've ever picked the scab of a sore place. It hurts like billy-oh
but it is such fun to see it coming away.”
What a profound picture of the process of sanctification. Eustace became a dragon after having dragonish thoughts over treasure, he became what his heart treasured and he could not “un-dragon” himself. It is him surrendering to Aslan, letting Aslan do his work on him, that his scales were finally peeled away. And so it is for us - that Jesus has to come and peel away the idols that has enslaved us.
**
“Where sky and water meet. Where the waves grow sweet. Doubt not, Reepicheep, to find all you seek, there is the utter east.” …
“This,” said Reepicheep, “is where I go on alone.”.. Then
he took off his sword (“I shall need it no more, “ he said) and flung it far
away across the lilied sea…. Then he bade them goodbye, trying to be sad for
their sakes; but he was quivering with happiness.
Throughout the voyage, Reepicheep had one goal – to go to
Aslan’s country. He thought of it night and day, he sang of it, he would not be
deterred even if he had to paddle and go on alone in his little coracle. All he
wanted to do was to go to Aslan’s country. Oh, the joy he had when he finally
found it! He threw off his trusty sword that accompanied him on many battles, despite
the “unknown territory”, for he knew there was no more fighting in Aslan’s
country. As much as he loved his friends, he was ready to leave them all
behind; for all his life’s longing is now to be fulfilled before him.
I must confess that I’ve had many thoughts about what it
would be like to walk through the valley of the shadow of death – there is some
fear and trepidation and unshakable dread. On good days, the hope and joy of
heaven and seeing Jesus helps lift the dark clouds away. But this noble little
mouse, this little mouse with a lion’s heart, has challenged my love and
longing for heaven. Perhaps, if my life’s goal and true longing is to go to be
place where Jesus has prepared for us; perhaps, I might quiver with happiness
as I take my final breath.
Most people who know me, know that I love happy endings. But it's not just about happy endings, it is about certain, definite, sure, happy endings. When Aslan appears, the fight is over. There is certain victory. Light will triumph, darkness does not stand a chance. There is no faltering with my Hero from Heaven, He has won decisively and triumphantly. So why not happy endings?
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