Just a warning, there are spoilers in this post for The Chronicles of Narnia if you haven't read them. But maybe it will encourage you to read them if you haven't.
At the end of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (the third novel), Aslan is talking to Edmund and Lucy and explains that they will not be able to return to Narnia. They are crest fallen, and ask if they will ever meet Aslan again. He tells them that He is a part of their (our) world, "But there I have another name. You must learn to know me by that name. This was the very reason why you were brought to Narnia, that by knowing me here for a little, you may know me better there." I heard this line in the film, and then I had to reread the book to see if it was there. I find this statement to be both extraordinary and challenging. I like to think I have a pretty close relationship with God, but I know that I at times miss God. I wonder how often I too am in Narnia, speaking with God, serving God, working with God, but I fail to recognize God. I think the beauty of Narnia is that it is not just a place in Lewis' imagination; it is anywhere and everywhere there is courage, faith, fellowship, and love. But the real challenge, is to see Narnia not in the imagination, but in reality. How often do I miss this? Far too often. Only after the fact due I realize how close I was to something more eternal, something more real than life. I've borrowed this idea from Lewis and his seventh book The Last Battle. Until I can reread that, I'll just have to remain present in our world and look for those times Narnia spills over. Besides, I want to meet Aslan everyday. I mean who doesn't want a Lion for a friend?
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