Narnia and the North

Last night we watched The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe on TV. Apart from being a brilliant film it is also a fantastic story: Aslan laying down his life for the children, the white witch being thoroughly incompetent and useless, the brilliant effects and beautiful scenery. But last night the thing that struck me was the children. They were destined for great things; they were the ones who would set Narnia free and bring peace to the country. But they did not believe in themselves, they recognised their own weakness and their inability to conquer evil. They were, after all, just children. But others, particularly Aslan, believed in them. It was only when they accepted their weakness and started to believe in their destiny that great things could happen.

And so it is with us. When we recognise we are children and can do nothing in our own strength it is then that the Father can take us and use us. We are ready for what ever may lie ahead.

But there was another thing that struck me and that was the children were destined to sit on four thrones and rule. I was reminded of the verse which talks about creation groaning with eager anticipation, waiting for the sons of God to revealed.

There is a destiny for the sons and daughters of God. Creation is watching and waiting for us to take our place as true sons and daughters of the Father. But, as in the film there is a link between the childlike heart, weakness and the revelation of the true sonship. For us to be revealed to the world we need a childlike heart, we need to know that we are weak and can do nothing in our own strength.

There are thrones prepared for the sons and daughters of the Father.

And so to the North. Last week our house on Skye was extensively damaged by a burst water pipe. At the moment we don't know the full extent of the damage, that will become clear over the next few weeks. But we have decided to sell the house once it is repaired. I think we have always held lightly to possessions and never valued them too highly. Yesterday I listened to James and he was talking about the greatest thing: "knowing that He is loving me now eclipses everything". It was a time to stop and think - do I know that He is loving me NOW and does that eclipse everything? So far as Skye is concerned - the answer is YES. But nonetheless it is a question to ask and a lifestyle to go deeper into. Living loved really is the only way to live.