I'm not sure if it's my preacher's kid background or just how I've been wired, but I tend to think in analogies and illustrations. This weekend God has shown me three that have left me ruined.
Dragons
I have a lot in common with Eustace Scrubb. In The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, Eustace finds a massive treasure, claims it for himself, and puts on a bracelet. While it sounds small, Eustace's selfishness and greed leads to him becoming a dragon. Even though he could fly and breath fire, he was trapped in a scaly solitary confinement of sorts that forced him to think of who he truly was. It is only after this that Aslan tells him he must remove the dragon skin to bathe in Aslan's well to be healed. Eustace tries three times on his own to remove the skin only to discover he is unable to remove it all on his own. Aslan tells him that only the Lion can fully remove the dragon skin.
"The very first tear he made was so deep that I thought it had gone right into my heart. And when he began pulling the skin off, it hurt worse than anything I'd ever felt. The only thing that made me able to bear it was just the pleasure of feeling the stuff peel off."
After removing the skin, Aslan threw Eustace in the water and he became a boy again. He was refreshed by the deliciously sweet water of Aslan's well. He was clean. He was free to be better than he was before.
I haven't been turned into a dragon, but I have been trying to peel off sin on my own. I have been making lists of things I can and can't do in hopes of getting back on track spiritually. I often fall into lie that if I would just try harder, I can be who I want to be. I have acting as if I have a righteousness that comes from my actions rather than Jesus'. And while there does need to be more effort here and there on my part, if I don't let Jesus rip from me what is holding me back I will never come to the end of my dragon skin.
Only, when I peel it off myself it doesn't hurt. By doing it myself I don't have to let go of the bracelet, even though it is the cause of my pain. I know that letting God remove my skin must take place before I can dive into his cleansing grace to heal my aching arm. I pray I'll come around someday.
Running
I have forgotten what it means to run well. At one point, I was running well. I must have gotten tired and stopped to walk because I have the wrong view of rest and fell into lazy. In some areas of my life, I haven't moved much in the past couple of years. As hard as it is to STILL be in this place, I am thankful that I am in a season that I can hit my stride on my own. I get to run alone with my King. I cannot be pursued if I am not pursing Him with all I have. He is the apex of all blessing. It's not about what He can give us, He has already given us Himself. He is better, I pray one day my heart will believe that.
Idle Car
This morning I realized my life lately has looked a lot like me sitting my car idling away and wasting gas. As I'm sitting there, Jesus is calling me to come to Him, but I just sit there. No only I am missing out on time with my savior, I am running out of gas by not moving. I am tired and hungry but still I sit. I try to sustain myself by little snacks in my car even though I know He has a feast that will not only satisfy but nourish me. But still I sit. I know that I am wasting time and resources I have been given. Maybe soon I won't just be sitting.
All of these have hit me in the past 36 hours. It has been difficult to see these things about myself, but not the least bit surprising. I have made mistakes, and I continue to make them. But, like Eustace, the cure has begun. I know I will have relapses. I know where I am now. I know that I need to let Jesus rip my vices from me. I need to let Him clean and heal me. I need to come to Him for rest. I need to let Him set the pace and keep running even when I feel like I can't. He didn't let Peter sink into the stormy sea, He won't leave me behind. I need to quit sitting in my car taking grace for granted and just start driving. It's simple, but definitely not easy. I have no idea what's ahead, where I'm going, or how long it will take me.
The end of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is a lot like the end of the book of John. Aslan leaves Edmund and Lucy with something like what Jesus told Peter.
“But I will not tell you how long or short the way will be; only that it lies across a river. But do not fear that, for I am the great Bridge Builder.”
I will follow. I will run. I will drive. I will swim deep in the unsearchable riches of His grace. He is better, and I am dying to know Him more.
Dragons
I have a lot in common with Eustace Scrubb. In The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, Eustace finds a massive treasure, claims it for himself, and puts on a bracelet. While it sounds small, Eustace's selfishness and greed leads to him becoming a dragon. Even though he could fly and breath fire, he was trapped in a scaly solitary confinement of sorts that forced him to think of who he truly was. It is only after this that Aslan tells him he must remove the dragon skin to bathe in Aslan's well to be healed. Eustace tries three times on his own to remove the skin only to discover he is unable to remove it all on his own. Aslan tells him that only the Lion can fully remove the dragon skin.
"The very first tear he made was so deep that I thought it had gone right into my heart. And when he began pulling the skin off, it hurt worse than anything I'd ever felt. The only thing that made me able to bear it was just the pleasure of feeling the stuff peel off."
After removing the skin, Aslan threw Eustace in the water and he became a boy again. He was refreshed by the deliciously sweet water of Aslan's well. He was clean. He was free to be better than he was before.
I haven't been turned into a dragon, but I have been trying to peel off sin on my own. I have been making lists of things I can and can't do in hopes of getting back on track spiritually. I often fall into lie that if I would just try harder, I can be who I want to be. I have acting as if I have a righteousness that comes from my actions rather than Jesus'. And while there does need to be more effort here and there on my part, if I don't let Jesus rip from me what is holding me back I will never come to the end of my dragon skin.
Only, when I peel it off myself it doesn't hurt. By doing it myself I don't have to let go of the bracelet, even though it is the cause of my pain. I know that letting God remove my skin must take place before I can dive into his cleansing grace to heal my aching arm. I pray I'll come around someday.
Running
I have forgotten what it means to run well. At one point, I was running well. I must have gotten tired and stopped to walk because I have the wrong view of rest and fell into lazy. In some areas of my life, I haven't moved much in the past couple of years. As hard as it is to STILL be in this place, I am thankful that I am in a season that I can hit my stride on my own. I get to run alone with my King. I cannot be pursued if I am not pursing Him with all I have. He is the apex of all blessing. It's not about what He can give us, He has already given us Himself. He is better, I pray one day my heart will believe that.
Idle Car
This morning I realized my life lately has looked a lot like me sitting my car idling away and wasting gas. As I'm sitting there, Jesus is calling me to come to Him, but I just sit there. No only I am missing out on time with my savior, I am running out of gas by not moving. I am tired and hungry but still I sit. I try to sustain myself by little snacks in my car even though I know He has a feast that will not only satisfy but nourish me. But still I sit. I know that I am wasting time and resources I have been given. Maybe soon I won't just be sitting.
All of these have hit me in the past 36 hours. It has been difficult to see these things about myself, but not the least bit surprising. I have made mistakes, and I continue to make them. But, like Eustace, the cure has begun. I know I will have relapses. I know where I am now. I know that I need to let Jesus rip my vices from me. I need to let Him clean and heal me. I need to come to Him for rest. I need to let Him set the pace and keep running even when I feel like I can't. He didn't let Peter sink into the stormy sea, He won't leave me behind. I need to quit sitting in my car taking grace for granted and just start driving. It's simple, but definitely not easy. I have no idea what's ahead, where I'm going, or how long it will take me.
The end of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is a lot like the end of the book of John. Aslan leaves Edmund and Lucy with something like what Jesus told Peter.
“But I will not tell you how long or short the way will be; only that it lies across a river. But do not fear that, for I am the great Bridge Builder.”
I will follow. I will run. I will drive. I will swim deep in the unsearchable riches of His grace. He is better, and I am dying to know Him more.
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