I went to see Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader today in the movie theatre. I've talked an awful lot about movies lately, but I haven't been to the movie theater in a really long time. I actually have a budget for the theater because I love it so much - I never get sick of seeing movies on the gigantic screen, and I'm a sucker for Cherry Coke & popcorn. Especially when that movie is in the Woodstock Square, and we can walk around afterward (even if we are a bit of a spectacle...)
Anyway, I was skeptical about the movie, even though I was very excited to be there. I absolutely love C.S. Lewis, and I really enjoy his writing. I have learned so much from his illustrations & imagery; it draws me closer to the character of God. His deep thinking helps me to think deeply, and not be afraid to think deeply. So when I heard that they were continuing on with the Chronicles of Narnia series, I was kind of sad. The images that I have in my imagination are ones that I would like to hold onto. I didn't want the movie to ruin them. But, to my surprise, it didn't!
What I loved most about the movie was that, in my opinion, the writers/directors really wove connections to Jesus into it. The best line, to me, was at the very end of the movie, when the characters named Prince Caspian, Edmund, Eustice, Luci, & Reepicheep have reached the end of their world, and the beginning of Aslan's. All of them have to say goodbye to Aslan, the lion that they have come to love very deeply. Luci (I think) says to him:
We shan't meet you there. And how can we live, never meeting you?”
“But you shall meet me, dear one,” said Aslan.
“Are are you there too, Sir?” said Edmund.
I just loved it. It made me cry. The movie and the book. I long for heaven with such fervency, that when I watched a really weird looking mouse row his way into a giant wave, I became really excited. At the same time I felt really homesick. I can't wait to see what heaven looks like, and I can't wait to stand before the throne of God. I can't wait to run and not get tired, or fear falling down. I can't wait to swim under water and not have to surface for a breath. I can't wait to touch the soft grasses that will feel like silk, or eat the fruits of the trees there. It sounds crazy, doesn't it? Imagining a place that seems like fairytale?
When talking about these things in connection with the Chronicles, one must note that these books are just stories. Aslan does help us to see Jesus, but it is not non-fiction. (Like my double negative?) The Bible is not just a story. I truly believe that it speaks truth. It is, in fact, the only book of its kind to claim to be the only truth, and one that gives very clear answers to the many questions that we have about our lives. It describes heaven, and says that this earth is not our home. Paul writes about this in 2 Chronicles 5:2-5:
"Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come."
These verses are kind of intense, but they really connect to how I have been feeling. Not just since I broke my legs, but since I have started to realize what is found in Jesus. (Who knows when that was...) I do long to be clothed with a heavenly dwelling, even though my understanding of that is very acute.
I do feel like all things "mortal" will be swallowed up by life itself - I find myself too easily persuaded by position within a job; status and pride, I have a great fear of intimacy with other people, distractions that come from being overly busy, but the busy-ness is self-inflicted...you get the picture, right? I mean, even after participating in a church gathering centered around the true meaning of Christmas, and focusing my thoughts and life around Jesus, I find myself (two days later) already distracted by so many other things as I enter into celebrating his birthday. All of that will be swallowed up because of Jesus' life.
I look forward to the day when I will remember. The things I've committed to. Where I've come from. Where I'm going. Who I serve. Who I love. Who I am. God has fashioned me for his purpose, and I am increasingly thankful for it. It helps me to stay focused on what is given to me in this day; it helps me to be present within this moment. Faithfully. And, for a nomad with definite attention issues, this is a very good thing.
