Spoiler Alert!
I am sure this movie is long gone from the theatres by now, but I have had this post written out for a month, and I don't want it to go to waste! When I was in my freshman year of high school, my youth minister, Mike Slater, challenged our youth group to read all the Chronicles of Narnia books. I spent my summer engrossed in the stories, and they became very real to me. I gave Rachel the book, Prince Caspian, to read before the movie came out. Jon, Rachel and I went to see the movie together, and I thought the movie was fabulous! There are lots of scenes with fighting, so Rachel had a hard time with some of it. She was especially disturbed by the scene when some Narnian Warriors got left behind in a battle scene. Later, when we talked over dinner, Rachel asked, "Mom, why were you so emotional?" Here is why:
I completely relate to Lucy, who is the youngest of the four children who travel through time to Narnia. Lucy has confidence in Aslan, and she has a peace that comes because she knows that Aslan will take care of everything in his time. The four children find themselves back in Narnia after a long period of time had gone by. They are walking through a forest when Lucy cries, "Aslan!" Her older brother, Peter, says, "These woods are full of lions, how do you know it was him?" Lucy replies, "I know Aslan when I see him." Peter asks, "Why didn't I see him?" Lucy says, "Maybe you weren't looking."
Wow! Do you get that exchange? If you are someone who wonders why you don't see the wonders of God on a daily basis, then perhaps you are not looking! I don't have to walk any further than my front door to see the wonders God has given me, my family. If that is not easy for you, then step outside and admire a flower or bird. God's hand print is everywhere! This past year has given my family and I great challenges, yet I know my Lord's voice, and He is telling me not to be afraid.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil...
Psalm 23
The part of the movie that Rachel found hard to watch, was a lesson in humility and surrender. Prince Caspian and Peter feel threatened by each other and want to lead the Narnians into battle. Lucy is sitting quietly waiting for Aslan to reveal himself. she tells Peter that he is not entering the battle in Aslan's name. Peter's motives were wrong. He had too much pride. Lucy ends of being right, and the battle ends in tragedy.
Often times, we take matters in our own hands and forget to pray and ask God to reveal His will. We get ourselves into situations that are not blessed by God, and we suffer because of our disobedience and pride.
God is our refuge and strength, a tested help in times of trouble. Psalm 46:1
One of the final scenes is when Lucy is finally face to face with Aslan. She runs to him and embraces him, and there is an exchange of deep and profound love between the two. It reminded me of the song, "I Can Only Imagine", by Mercy Me. What will I do when I see my Lord? Will I dance? Will I sing? Will I fall down flat before Him?
My last tear dropped when the mouse warrior loses his tail in battle and he is standing before Aslan ready to take his life because of the humiliation of being without a tail. Aslan tells him he has too much pride in his own tail. The friends of the mouse see his despair and are ready to cut off their own tails for their leader, when Aslan stops them and restores the mouse's tail.
Restoration comes from God in so many ways. He is the only one that can take what is old and broken and make it new. He has the power to restore health, relationships, and broken hearts.
He heals the brokenhearted and binds of their wounds. He determines the number of the stars and calls each by name. Great is our Lord and mighty in power. His understanding has no limit. The Lord sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground. Psalm 147:3-6
God has certainly restored my health, and I have no doubt that He has the power to completely heal. I received my test results back last week, and my bone scan is stable. The CT scan was clean. The sonogram showed the primary tumor had shrunk. All the doctors are impressed with my activities at the beach, and they feel that the treatment is going well.
My prayer is that you that you hear God's voice, that you feel His love, and that you accept His help and direction for your life.
Blessings Always,
Sandy
