Seeing & Remembering

“Child, perhaps you do not see quite as well as you think.  But the first step is to remember.”

Aslan

 

I’ve been reminded this past week by John Piper that “beholding is becoming”.  What I spend my time looking at the most is what I will eventually start to resemble. 

I totally agree with John Piper.  Seeing is important. 

I also agree with C.S. Lewis.  Sometimes we do not see quite as well as we think. 

In The Silver Chair, one of the books in the Chronicles of Narnia series, C.S. Lewis describes the interaction between a girl named Jill and Aslan, the Great Lion.  Aslan has just given Jill a set of very important instructions for her journey into Narnia.  In response, Jill weakly says, “I see.”  To which Aslan replies:

“Child, perhaps you do not see as well as you think.  But the first step is to remember…

Repeat to me the four signs.  It is important for you to remember them as I’ve said them…

Remember.  Remember.  Remember the signs. 
Say them to yourself when you wake in the morning and when you lie down at night and when you wake in the middle of the night.  And whatever strange things may happen to you, let nothing turn your mind from following the signs.

And second, I give you a warning.  Here on the mountain I have spoken to you clearly.  I will not often do so down in Narnia.  Here on the mountain the air is clear and your mind is clear.  As you drop down into Narnia the air will thicken.  Take great care that it does not confuse your mind.  And the signs which you have learned will not look at all as you expect them to look when you meet them there.  That is why it is important to know them by heart.  And pay no attention to appearances. 

Remember the signs and believe the signs.  Nothing else matters.  And now, daughter of Eve….farewell…”

I couldn’t help but think of analogies as I heard these words.  (Yes, I was listening to the Focus on the Family Radio Theatre version J). 

1.       Jill is being sent out on a mission for Aslan.  Our lives are a mission for God.

2.       Jill tries to “see”/understand – but doesn’t quite grasp the big picture.  We try to “see”/understand – but don’t always understand how God is working.

3.       Jill is told to remember Aslan’s words – to memorize them – so that she is not confused when she is away from him.  We are told to remember God’s words – to memorize them – so that we are not confused in the midst of our mission.

As much as we try to “see”, sometimes we are only capable of remembering. 

The reason C.S. Lewis’ words hit me so strongly today was that I realize even in my deepest efforts to focus on Jesus…I struggle.  Whether it’s a tragedy that blinds my spiritual eyes with tears or a victory where pride blocks my view of my Savior….sometimes I miss out on seeing God in everything.  Sometimes I just don’t understand.  I get captured by the present and miss out on the big picture.

But in all of that – I know I can always remember.

I can always go back to the cross.

And when I look at Jesus on that cross – even if I can’t see exactly how He’s working in the present situation – I can remember that as He gave His life for me He trusted God the Father’s plans.

And as I take that first step of remembering, I am confident that I will begin to see more clearly the Father’s plans for me, too.