I think I’ve read The Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe at least 3 times. I’m reading it again…and it’s even more exciting than the first time.
C.S. Lewis is a master story teller, and the spiritual truths he weaves in are powerful.
The White Witch’s lure with Turkish Delight was once again brought home to me in the form of Oreo Cookies as I heard yesterday’s sermon at church.
The problem with Turkish Delight is not only that it doesn’t satisfy in the long run, but that it blocks our ability to desire for that which does satisfy in the long run.
In the real world living within our flesh, it’s a reasonable mistake to look at Turkish Delight and think that it’s the real thing that would satisfy. It looks good, it tastes good, it makes me happy. It’s not easy to distinguish between Turkish Delight and Steak. The devil knows what he’s doing when he devises temptations. The definition of a temptation is that it is tempting. Turkish Delights are very tempting. And once we eat Turkish Delight, the Steak doesn’t taste as good.
It takes a kind of “purity” and child-likeness like Lucy to be wiling to take the step to follow someone as unlikely as a faun see the truth. This ability to discern comes from reading God’s Word, there is no way around that discipline.
And sometimes, it takes failure, and willingness to admit our own stupidity, like Edmund, to turn us around to face Aslan again.
One of my favorite lines from the book about Aslan: Safe? Oh no, he isn’t safe. But he’s good.
July 22nd, 2009 at 9:48 pm
Steak was definitely better.
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:21 pm
I like mine medium rare, no sauce, no seasoning. This is why I have high cholesterol.