If you are looking for an entertaining, imaginative film to see during the holidays consider The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. We saw it yesterday in 3-D, but during the day so the ticket price was lower.
The Narnia Chronicles were written by British theologian C.S. Lewis. His theological focus was often in the area of eschatology or what is known as the study of end times or last things. Of course we are always living in end times because none of us knows when our life will end. Each and every day may be our last. We do not know.
Lewis’ stories, however, focus more on the choices we make throughout our lives that form who we are as persons. The characters in his stories must choose between that which is the best within themselves rather than succumbing to entropy, doing nothing or worse – actively choosing total self-interest or evil.
Another interesting feature of the Narnia stories is that Aslan, the lion (or “God” in our world), has the ability to come to the aid of the characters and make things happen that they cannot imagine for themselves. During this film for example, Aslan appears to Lucy when she is trying to choose between being her most authentic self or denying who she is at her core. Aslan’s presence helps her to find the courage she needs to choose her most authentic self. The same is true in our world.
Throughout the film we see clearly that if characters do not participate in Aslan’s banquet or enter Aslan’s country, it is because they choose to remain behind. Aslan will not prevent them from participating or entering. And so it is with God and us. We are invited into God’s household every second of every day. We have to be willing to seek it, recognize it and say yes to it.
Like Narnia, the world is an awe-filled, magical and enchanting place. We live in a teaching reality. It judges not. We have intelligence and imagination. We can learn from our experiences. Creation, reality is meant to be heaven on earth – the choice is ours.
