I am a big fan of C.S. Lewis. In my opinion, this man was incredibly smart and godly. I am especially a fan of The Chronicles of Narnia, but then again, who isn't? I love the portrayal of Aslan in these books. One of my favorite lines in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe comes in eighth chapter entitled "What Happened After Dinner." The Beavers and the Pevensie children are sitting in the Beavers' dam eating supper and discussing Aslan, the Great Lion.
"Ooh!" said Susan. "I'd thought he was a man. Is he - quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion."That you will, dearie, and no mistake," said Mrs. Beaver; "if there's anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they're either braver than most or else just silly."Then he isn't safe?" said Lucy. "Safe?" said Mr. Beaver; "don't you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King, I tell you."I love that last line. Of course Aslan isn't safe, but he is good. Our God is not safe, but He is infinitely and wonderfully good. He is always just and always caring and always kind.
Not too many things in society are good anymore. It seems like the world is overflowing with evil sometimes. More than once I have watched the news and gotten depressed about what is happening, not only in the United States, but all around the world. It's hard to see goodness in all of the evil. It's hard to see any light in this darkness.
But there is Light! We must remember that this earth is not our final home. This evil presence will not endure forever; it cannot endure forever. Soon, and very soon, Christ will return for His Church and He will re-make the earth to be as it was intended - pure and holy. And everything will be good again - just as it was in the Beginning when God pronounced it good.
Psalm 31:19 - "How great is Your goodness, which You have stored up for those who fear You, which You bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in You."
Our God is not safe. He is powerful and holy and worthy to be feared and adored. But we cannot forget His goodness. We cannot go around preaching hell and destruction to those who are lost without showing them that the Maker of everything is good and loving and takes a personal interest in their lives. So often people back away from Christianity because through Christians (yes, through me) they see a judgmental and hypocritical God. Yes, God does judge, but His judgments are unlike ours. They are worthy and perfect.
We must remember that unbelievers are looking at us. We must strive to be good just as our God is good. We must show them a goodness and a love unlike anything they have seen before. Maybe then we could get the Gospel message across. Maybe then people would start listening instead of immediately writing us off.
This week, I challenge us all to look for ways to do good. Write someone an encouraging note or Bible verse. Give someone a hug. Have a meal with a close friend. Help someone in need. Think of others as better than yourselves. Reflect the goodness of God to those around you. We all need to be reminded that, in this world of evil and chaos, the Light reigns supreme.
I think you will be surprised at just how good it feels inside when you do something nice for someone else. Who knows? Maybe it will change your life.
No comments:
Post a Comment