Berthing on the Dawn Treader

My roommate and I ended what has been a joyous Christmas day with a trip over to the theater. Seeing movies on holidays is a bit of a tradition in both our families, especially later in the day after the excitement of presents and dinner has worn off and left people bored and ready for distraction. Last year my siblings and I headed out to see Sherlock Holmes, a great movie that we enjoyed quite a bit. With me being in Texas far from my family and Aaron's day of family stuff done, we decided to go out and see the new Chronicles of Narnia movie, Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

When I was young, before I could even read, my parents would read from these books to me and introduced me to the incredible world that C.S. Lewis had created. When I learned to read it was not long before I was attempting to tackle these, and I read through them countless times as a child. It is no small surprise, then, that as I dig through theology books and pursue Christ by renewing my mind through the minds of others, that Lewis' works are such an inspiration to me. This book was always my favorite of the Narnia series--a grand adventure, exploring the unknown, and such joy in finding Aslan's paw moving in the lives of those aboard.

This movie was a joy on so many levels. On a purely earthly level, it is beautiful; in 3D or not, one feels immersed in the wide open expanse of the world of Narnia, the great ship plowing through the waters towards adventure and battle. But what fascinated me the most was that whether intended or not by the movie producers, Lewis' picture of Christ, His sacrifice and our salvation will not be denied. There was such a heavy, palpable truth cutting through the movie that I was overwhelmed with the joy in just that tiny, insufficient picture of God's great plan in motion. The eyes of the heart were opened and there was beauty that I long to see, joy I crave to live in, a fullness of life that lies beyond that just tore me up.

To enter Narnia, one must be a child. At a certain point you're just too old to pass back through into the Narnian world from the "real" one--but even in that plot device lies truth from the Word:

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who is the greatest in the
kingdom of heaven?" And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them
and said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you
will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child
is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.--Matthew 18:1-3

It was the young Lucy's ability to believe in something besides what was right in front of her that led her into Narnia, and from that first trip a love for Aslan--a love for Christ--was planted in her that did not wither but grew stronger. This movie portrayed, in a moving and personal way, the manner in which sin consumes us and holds us back from living in the true freedom that Christ has called us to. My lusts of the flesh tempt me away, and like Lucy I have dark desires that lead me to wicked thoughts and acts that I try to hide in secret. But Christ has done so much to renew me, to call me back to him in such a deep and irresistable love that I cannot say no. Even as I sit in a moment of failure He urges me on, calls me to Himself, reminds me that it is not I that rend the scales of wickedness from my body to become what I truly am in Him, but that it is His work that frees, that heals.

But even in that these children are called to be warriors--they fight the enemy head on and there is no mercy from that enemy, that would destroy them all were it allowed. They must face their own weaknesses; Lucy desires to be adored by men as her sister is, while Edmund is haunted by his past betrayals. I saw so much of my own struggles in both of them and I found so much joy in seeing their own victories.

One of the most impressive moments of truth came when they reached the island that was their final destination, where Aslan's table resided--the table that he was killed upon by the White Witch in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Lords from Narnia are at the table, asleep, not to be awakened until Aslan sets things to rights. And that table, that instrument of death that had been used to hold Narnia in captivity for an age, was now the place of feasting for those called to life in him. It was a reminder that God will renew all things in this world, and that through Christ's sacrifice we find true life and joy.

O Lord, grant that I would battle as bravely against the enemy when his temptations to lust after earthly things comes. Grant that I would have the faith and innocence of a child and the ferocity of a warrior in seeking after you all my days on this Earth. And grant me, Father, that I would be brave enough to tell of my joy to those around me; this word must be spread, His joy must go forth!

God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the
mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and
foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling.
Selah

There
is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of
the Most High.
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;
God
will help her when morning dawns.
The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice, the earth melts.
The LORD of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Selah

Come, behold the works
of the LORD,
how he has brought desolations on the earth.
He makes wars
cease to the end of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the chariots with fire.
"Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!"
The LORD of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Selah--Psalm 46