Narnia
“…suddenly Aslan came bounding into it.”
C.S. Lewis
God’s Call
There are many books that symbolize the ultimate romance, the love of God for humanity. C.S. Lewis’ creative stories and non-fiction works are some of the bests examples of God’s creativity.
It’s the first thing we learn about God. God created.
Please share your thoughts about your favorite books and how God uses them to build your faith y posting in the comments section below.
God’s Word
In the beginning, God created…
Genesis 1:1
Lewis’ Narnia
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, a classic in children’s fiction, introduces the Pevensie children caught up in an adventure that began in an antique wardrobe. Friendly fictional animals of all sizes help them escape from the White Witch, almost.
The world lures the children of Narnia into wrong doing and like you and me, they need a hero.
When writing the book, C.S. Lewis said he was struggling to find Narnia’s direction, where the story was going until, “…suddenly Aslan came bounding into it.”
Aslan the Lion in Lewis series is always capitalized and is the only character to appear in all seven Narnia books. Aslan the Lion, the one who gives His life to ransom the children. He roars into the story and saves them. In The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, Aslan rises again to prepare the world for the conflict, to win the battle.
C.S. Lewis was asked often is Aslan symbolizes Jesus. He answered, “No. The Lion is Jesus.”
Another time a young mom wrote to Lewis concerning her son, Laurence. The boy loved Aslan so much that he felt he loved “Aslan more than Jesus” Lewis didn’t say “oh it’s just a metaphor.” He said that Laurence, “can’t really love Aslan more than Jesus, even if he feels that’s what he is doing. For the things he loves Aslan for doing or saying are simply the things Jesus really did and said. So that when Laurence thinks he is loving Aslan, he is really loving Jesus: and perhaps loving Him more than he ever did before.”
God Whispers
As Aslan the Lion shows the children of Narnia the strengths he created in them, we begin to understand that He has made each of us to reflect His creative Spirit. And He calls us to use that creativity in all we do. Does our work reflect God? Sometimes it takes a lot of creativity to make that happen.
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As we read or watch movies and plays, we are entertained and educated. When we let God lead us to works grounded in His creativity, His story and His love, we are truly blessed.
C.S. Lewis reminds me that God finds us, calls us and equipts us to love and beloved. Without that message, told directly or in symbolism, it’s just words.
To me the Christian novel brings hope like no other can. I walk into a room filled with books and my hand reaches for a romance novel. To be honest, historical romance novels. But I’ve learned to choose the one where the Lion comes bounding into the story and truly changes everything, including me.
The story, and my faith grows as I see God’s Holy Spirit working in the lives of the characters in the books I read?
When we read for escape or entertainment, if we listen, we will see beyond the story to the parable beneath?
Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not cry! The Lion of the tribe of Judah has won the battle. He is the Root of David. He is able to break the seven seals and open the scroll.”
Rev 5:5 (NIRV)
Please leave comments on your favorite books or parable and the faith-building messages you discovered.