even before mason's death, i have been known to shed some tears at the symbolisms, the beauty captured in the character of aslan. a lion... a powerful, allegorical depiction of a sovereign, strong God who stops and cares and saves and takes time to reveal himself to children.
this time was no exception.
in the last chapter (spoiler alert!), i'm reading about reepicheep, my most favorite talking mouse ever. he's brave and adventuresome, and with sword always in hand, never shirks from fighting for what is right, even though he is mere inches in height.
someone is needed to be left behind at the worlds end, in order to save others.
"go into the utter east and never return into this world?" reepicheep responds. "that is my heart's desire."
what is so powerful to me is reepicheep's eagerness to reach the end of the world and not return. he knows aslan's country awaits him. he isn't doing this out of bravery or even sacrifice. he is excited! he knows that a world with aslan is better than anything else.
as they near the very end, reepicheep says, "'this is where i go on alone.'... then he took off his sword, 'i shall need this no more,' he said, and flung it far away across the lilied sea."
a brave warrior mouse leaving behind a sword he is never without? this means only one thing...
there is nothing to fear!
nothing to fear because he knows aslan.
"then he bade them good-bye, trying to be sad for their sakes, but he was quivering with happiness."
quivering with happiness!!!
this is how we can leave with this world when we truly know what awaits us in the next. when we truly understand the love and power of salvation of our aslan.
"safe? course he isn’t safe. but he’s good. he’s the King, i tell you.”
1 comment:
Stephanie,
I am Dawn Warren's sister. I have been (and will continue to be) praying for you and your family. This post made me think of Psalm 73:21-28.
21 When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered,
22 I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you.
23 Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.
24 You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And the earth has nothing I desire besides you.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
27 Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.
28 But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.
I too, love the symbolism in Narnia. I'm glad you included Mr. Beaver's quote. It was so right- God doesn't promise safe, but HE IS GOOD! To steal a line from these verses and my friend Kara, "The nearness to God is my only good." Reepicheep understood this- his hearts desire was to be near God. Such Beauty...
On a day when you are up to it, please check out my friend Kara's blog @ Mundane Faithfulness. She is also the author of the book "The Hardest Peace." She chooses to find the grace in each day, in each impossible hard- much like you. It may be an encouragement to you.
Thanks for making me think on these verses today. I'm forwarding your post to Kara- I know it will encourage her, too. Thank you.
Prayers-
Trisha
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