Taylor and Emma hosted a wonderful party this past weekend for Wilkes’ first birthday. Earlier the same day, Kinsey and Jordan saw their little one, weighing approximately 1.5 pounds, in a 4D ultrasound. My prayer for both grandsons is not only that their parents love, protect, and teach them and that friends and family do their part, but that Jesus will reveal Himself to these boys He has created for His glory.
One of the lesser-known books written by C. S. Lewis in the Chronicles of Narnia series tells the story of Shasta trying to escape a cruel stepfather in a foreign land with a talking horse from Narnia. My favorite part of “The Horse and His Boy” is when the great Lion Aslan, who represents Jesus in all the books, makes Himself known to the boy.
As most of us have done in low moments, Shasta laments all the difficulties of his life and concludes he must be the unluckiest boy anywhere. Then he realizes he is not alone. Riding his horse in a fog that prevents Shasta from seeing the great Lion, Aslan shares perfect knowledge of every complaint the boy had registered. In fact, He revealed He had been present at each instance.
“’Who are you?’ asked Shasta. ‘Myself,’ said the Voice, very deep and low so that the ground shook: and again ‘Myself,’ loud and clear and gay: and then a third time ‘Myself,’ whispered so softly you could hardly hear it, and yet it seemed to come from all around as if leaves rustled with it.”
As the mist began to lift and a strange whiteness appeared, “Shasta turned and saw, pacing beside him, taller than the horse, a Lion. The horse did not seem to be afraid of it or else could not see it. It was from the Lion that the light came. No one ever saw anything more terrible or beautiful… After one glance at the Lion’s face Shasta slipped out of the saddle and fell at its feet. He couldn’t say anything but then he didn’t want to say anything, and he knew he needn’t say anything.”
What does it profit a boy if he has everything on earth a boy could want but never meets the Lion?
“I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe.” Ephesians 1:16-19
Quotes from “The Horse and His Boy” by C.S. Lewis, ©1954 by C.S. Lewis Limited