I finished Prince Caspian last night on the way home from the grocery store.
I've tried, in several draft posts, to comment on the profound topics that are raised so effortlessly by the story. Everything from rather sharp criticisms of modern schools to practical spiritual truths such as the need to know Aslan better in our own world; seem to jump out from behind a tree (or under a bridge, as the case may be) to surprise you with how much is drilled in these little stories. Sadly, the more I try to work out a nice little truth, the bigger and more personally challenging I find it.
Over the last few days, I've cheered for Peter's chivalry, mourned Susan's choice (though she won't actually fall away for 5 or so more books) and remarked just how wise Edmund's own forgiveness drives him to be - make brave choices even when he can't believe them himself. But this reading, it has all been about Lucy. Though all 4 children are taught to "follow the Lion", it's Lucy that takes the brunt of the lesson. A part that hadn't struck me until last night was that Lucy learns that she should have left the others when they wouldn't believe her about seeing Aslan. This is something that I never really considered before.
I don't hear many Sunday morning messages about leaving others behind - but when I consider it for a bit, I remember that we are each challenged to do our own work ... to walk our own path. That sounds well and good in our individualistic society the offers at least 7 different flavors of chocolate chips in one aisle - catering to each loaner; I can't imagine how it sound to believers in the relationship focused 1st Century.
6 comments:
Everyone does have to make a choice and we can't force them or make that decision for them.
Now, exactly how did you finish prince caspian on the way home from the grocery store?
ahhh ... the wonder of an unabridged audio book.
My motto: Read It First .... then Listen to again for the first time.
I do have on beef with this particular edition - it's voiced by a scottish woman in her 40s .... not exactly the lewis voice that I've always had in my head.
One point that Lewis explained in other books was the danger of going to one extreme or the other. In the loner vs going with the crowd illustration, it could be that no one should be fully depended or independent of others.
I can't remember the exact story with Lucy that you are referring to, though, so that may not be Lewis' point there.
T and I were just talking about that the other day...how making choices CAN be in God's will...but you can't control others' choices. All in all, we are ultimately responsible for our own choices....even if we make a "poor" choice at the persuasion of others.
I've wondered how in future projects to present the idea of choosing Christ as an individual to a persons who lives in a group culture. If they makea choice separate from the family group, they become outcasts at least, and lose their place in their society. It's a bigger step than in our individualistic society. Interesting.
Post a Comment