Peter, still out of breath, turned and saw Aslan close at hand.
"You have forgotten to clean your sword," said Aslan
I was true. Peter blushed when he looked at the bright blade and saw it all smeared with the Wolf's hair and blood. He stooped down and wiped it quite clean on the grass, and then wiped it quite dry on his coat.
"Hand it to me and kneel, Son of Adam," said Aslan. And when Peter had done so he struck him with the flat of the blade and said, "Rise up, Sir Peter Wolf's-Bane. And whatever happens, never forget to wipe your sword."
-The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
Peter has just killed the Wolf that was attacking his sister, and instead of a "job well done" or similar sentiment, these are Aslan's first words to him. Why do you think Aslan chooses these words?
By cleaning his sword, Peter is removing the filth of the battle that just took place. He is removing the physical evidence of his victory. To me, this represents humility. In our battles in life, we should not boast or take credit when we come out victorious. To wipe the sword clean is to remove any stain that could tempt us into prideful thinking. Also, by cleaning his sword, Peter was preparing for the next time he would need to use it. In this sense, we should also remain sharp and alert, free of prideful-stains, so that we can experience more victories in the future.
Also, I love how Aslan wouldn't give Peter a title until he cleaned his sword and knelt down. In order for God to raise us up, we must remove impurities and humbly fall to our knees before Him.
Aslan
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Let the Prince Win His Spurs
"That, O Man, is Cair Paravel of the four thrones, in one of which you must sit as King. I show it to you because you are the firstborn and you will be High King over all the rest."
And once more Peter said nothing, for at that moment a strange noise woke the silence suddenly. It was like a bugle, but richer.
"It is your sister's horn," said Aslan to Peter in a low voice; so low as to be almost a purr, if it is not disrespectful to think of a Lion purring.
For a moment Peter did not understand. Then, when he saw all the other creatures start forward and heard Aslan say with a wave of his paw, "Back! Let the Prince win his spurs," he did understand, and set off running as hard as he could to the pavilion. And there he saw a dreadful sight.
The Naiads and the Dryads were scattering in every direction. Lucy was running toward him as fast as her short legs would carry her and her face was as white as paper. Then he saw Susan make a dash for a tree, and swing herself up, followed by a huge grey beast. At first Peter thought it was a bear. Then he saw that it looked like an Alsation, though it was far too big to be a dog. then he realized that it was a wolf - a wolf standing on its hind legs, with its front paws against the tree trunk, snapping and snarling. All the hair on its back stood up on end. Susan had not been able to get higher than the second branch. One of her legs hung down so that her foot was only an inch or two above the snapping teeth. Peter wondered why she did not get higher or at least take a better grip; then he realized that she was going to faint and that if she fainted she would fall off.
Peter did not feel very brave; indeed he felt he was going to be sick. But that made no difference to what he had to do. He rushed straight up to the monster and aimed a slash of his sword at its side. That stroke never reached the Wolf. Quick as lightning it turned roung, its eyes flaming, and its mouth wide open in a howl of anger. If it had not been so angry that it simply had to howl it would have got him by the throat at once. As it was - though all this happened too quickly for Peter to think at all - he had just time to duck down and plunge his sword, as hard as he could, between the brute's forelegs into its heart. then came a horrible, confused moment like something in a nightmare. He was tugging and pulling and the Wolf seemed neither alive nor dead, and its bared teeth knocked against his forehead, and everything was blood and heat and hair. A moment later he found that the monster lay dead and he had drawn sword out of it and was straightening his back and rubbing the sweat off his face and out of his eyes. He felt tired all over
-The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
What does it mean for Peter to win his spurs? How do you think Peter acquits himself? When in life have you had to prove yourself?
I feel like Peter had to 'earn his spurs' in order to prove to Aslan that he could be a good leader. Aslan did not let any of the other creatures go and save Susan because he knew that Peter would learn nothing unless he did it himself. By being faced with a terrifying situation, Peter was taken out of his comfort-zone, and left with no other option than to face the Wolf. Aslan chose Peter for a specific purpose and forced him to face this as a way to prepare him for the challenges and battles he would face in the future. By killing the Wolf, Peter proved to Aslan that he could take charge.
Lately, in my own life, I have had to prove myself through tough decisions, and who I have chosen to trust in those situations. Too often I take the 'easy' way out and try to rely on my own judgement, which then leads me to more tough roads and choices. Instead of letting go and trusting God to give me strength, I worry and make decisions based on emotions. I believe that God wants me to learn how to be more discerning. If I could stop trying to prove myself to the world and started trying to prove myself to God, I would make much wiser decisions.
Also, sometimes God has a task that he wants just one specific person to do. I mean sure He could have anyone do it, but He sometimes has something special picked out just for you to do. We need to get to know God on a deep level so that when He calls us to do something, we recognize his voice, and don't miss out on the opportunity He has for us.
And once more Peter said nothing, for at that moment a strange noise woke the silence suddenly. It was like a bugle, but richer.
"It is your sister's horn," said Aslan to Peter in a low voice; so low as to be almost a purr, if it is not disrespectful to think of a Lion purring.
For a moment Peter did not understand. Then, when he saw all the other creatures start forward and heard Aslan say with a wave of his paw, "Back! Let the Prince win his spurs," he did understand, and set off running as hard as he could to the pavilion. And there he saw a dreadful sight.
The Naiads and the Dryads were scattering in every direction. Lucy was running toward him as fast as her short legs would carry her and her face was as white as paper. Then he saw Susan make a dash for a tree, and swing herself up, followed by a huge grey beast. At first Peter thought it was a bear. Then he saw that it looked like an Alsation, though it was far too big to be a dog. then he realized that it was a wolf - a wolf standing on its hind legs, with its front paws against the tree trunk, snapping and snarling. All the hair on its back stood up on end. Susan had not been able to get higher than the second branch. One of her legs hung down so that her foot was only an inch or two above the snapping teeth. Peter wondered why she did not get higher or at least take a better grip; then he realized that she was going to faint and that if she fainted she would fall off.
Peter did not feel very brave; indeed he felt he was going to be sick. But that made no difference to what he had to do. He rushed straight up to the monster and aimed a slash of his sword at its side. That stroke never reached the Wolf. Quick as lightning it turned roung, its eyes flaming, and its mouth wide open in a howl of anger. If it had not been so angry that it simply had to howl it would have got him by the throat at once. As it was - though all this happened too quickly for Peter to think at all - he had just time to duck down and plunge his sword, as hard as he could, between the brute's forelegs into its heart. then came a horrible, confused moment like something in a nightmare. He was tugging and pulling and the Wolf seemed neither alive nor dead, and its bared teeth knocked against his forehead, and everything was blood and heat and hair. A moment later he found that the monster lay dead and he had drawn sword out of it and was straightening his back and rubbing the sweat off his face and out of his eyes. He felt tired all over
-The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
What does it mean for Peter to win his spurs? How do you think Peter acquits himself? When in life have you had to prove yourself?
I feel like Peter had to 'earn his spurs' in order to prove to Aslan that he could be a good leader. Aslan did not let any of the other creatures go and save Susan because he knew that Peter would learn nothing unless he did it himself. By being faced with a terrifying situation, Peter was taken out of his comfort-zone, and left with no other option than to face the Wolf. Aslan chose Peter for a specific purpose and forced him to face this as a way to prepare him for the challenges and battles he would face in the future. By killing the Wolf, Peter proved to Aslan that he could take charge.
Lately, in my own life, I have had to prove myself through tough decisions, and who I have chosen to trust in those situations. Too often I take the 'easy' way out and try to rely on my own judgement, which then leads me to more tough roads and choices. Instead of letting go and trusting God to give me strength, I worry and make decisions based on emotions. I believe that God wants me to learn how to be more discerning. If I could stop trying to prove myself to the world and started trying to prove myself to God, I would make much wiser decisions.
Also, sometimes God has a task that he wants just one specific person to do. I mean sure He could have anyone do it, but He sometimes has something special picked out just for you to do. We need to get to know God on a deep level so that when He calls us to do something, we recognize his voice, and don't miss out on the opportunity He has for us.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Challenge Accepted.
So, yesterday I was in the bookstore looking for a daily devotional book and the words 'C.S. Lewis' caught my eye. Since he is my favorite author I picked up the book A Year With Aslan to see what it was all about. Turns out this book offers excerpts from the Chronicles of Narnia books, along with a thought-provoking question, for each day of the year. My friend Jon mentioned that it would be cool if I read this book and blogged about it. I was intrigued by the idea, especially since I have a difficult time commiting to anything for an extended amount of time, so I decided to attempt it. The Narnia books have been my favorite for a long time because of their beautiful way of representing the Christian faith on such a deep level. Starting tomorrow I will post the excerpt and thought-provoking question, along with my answer. Hopefully people will be receptive and post their opinions on the topic too! I am looking forward to my year with Aslan, and I hope you will enjoy it with me.
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