The story of faith

For an outstanding period of time, I could not much understand why people will not believe in God.

Today I want to talk about faith before I embark on church camp where I am heading for CHANGE in my spiritual journey, my spiritual perspectives, and spiritual walk.

In the sermon by Pastor Tiak, he mentioned “The Silver Chair” by C.S. (Clive Staples) Lewis, a Christian apologist, who had written many books on Christianity and of course, the famous Chronicles of Narnia that hit the masses months ago.

“The Silver Chair” is the sixth wonderful adventure writing in the Chronicles that is not just a riveting quest, but a tale that spills life into the true meaning of freedom.

In the land of Narnia, guarded by the great Lion Aslan (which symbolizes Jesus); it proclaims that ordinary children do extraordinary things. “When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” (Mark 10:14) Eustace and Jill had an intimate encounter with Great Aslan in their sudden arrival in Narnia. In their daunting expedition of adventure and danger, Jill met Aslan by the river streams when she was in an extreme state of thirst. Aslan granted her access to the streams to quench her thirst. But she was afraid, for fear that if she were to go near the stream, Aslan is going to gobble her up. But she was desperate; there was no other sight of water available. As much as she needed to fill her thirst, she resisted, because she knows that any step nearer to this lion, might mean her being devoured by him. So she asked if he had eaten little children before, Aslan replied, “I have eaten everything, anyone from children to adult before.” That terrified her excruciatingly.

“Will you promise not to eat me up if I go near to drink from the streams?” Jill asked as she gingerly tiptoed nearer.

“I make no promises.” Aslan replied.

Confronted with a need to quench her thirst and the danger to be eaten up by Aslan, she had to make a choice.

This very segment of this fantasy explains why people will not believe in God. Simply because, they will not trust. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1 Because they cannot see and do not yet know of the promises God have for them, they are not willing to give it all up for God. They remain bonded to the cares of the world because they want control of their lives.

Like Jill, taking a closer step means danger, means a step into the unknown; though well knowing her need to quench her thirst. Though well knowing, deep in their hearts, they have a desperate need for God. That explains it. When we say we want more of God, it is a step to danger, believe it or not. Because being nearer to God signifies nearer to losing oneself. “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.” Luke 9:24

This is the story of faith.

When God shows you the way you do not want, when your prayers do not ‘work’, when the world is going to reject you, when you are going to lose it all..

The question is “will you take it up?”

I pray, and I will continue to pray.

I leave this to you before I go off.
Love always,
Nat