And now a very curious thing happened. None of the children knew who Aslan was any more than you do; but the moment the Beaver had spoken these words everyone felt quite different. Perhaps it has sometimes happened to you in a dream that someone says something which you don’t understand but in the dream it feels as if it had some enormous meaning—either a terrifying one which turns the whole dream into a nightmare or else a lovely meaning too lovely to put into words, which makes the dream so beautiful that you remember it all your life and are always wishing you could get into that dream again. It was like that now. At the name of Aslan each one of the children felt something jump in his inside. Edmund felt a sensation of mysterious horror. Peter felt suddenly brave and adventurous. Susan felt as if some delicious smell or some delightful strain of music had just floated by her. And Lucy got the feeling you have when you wake up in the morning and realise that it is the beginning of the holidays or the beginning of summer.
~ C.S. Lewis, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Those familiar with The Chronicles of Narnia understand that in Narnia, Aslan is God, the Christ figure who sacrifices himself so that others may be redeemed. When the Beaver speaks the words “Aslan is on the move,” the children are at a frightening time in their life. Transported through the wardrobe to a world where animals talk and it’s always winter, the Beaver tells them of Aslan.
There’s more, and you can (and should) read the books. But here’s the thing. When I say that I believe “Aslan is on the move,” in this world, it means that I believe that God is working. God is moving.
These are dark and frightening times in our world. Violence, war, hate, economic turmoil.
But Aslan is on the move. And when he comes, he will make things right.
I believe this.
365 Things I Believe is a revisioning of a year long web project. I initially launched the blog 365 Things I Believe because I think there are important things I have to say. There are eternal truths that are non-debatable, although I realize they’re not universally accepted.
So for a year I did a daily post of one thing I believe to be an indisputable truth. I’m relaunching here at The Write Side of My Brain and will continue through the next year to re-post (mostly) from the original project.
This time graphics and commentary are included. You can buy today’s print here. And, by the end of a year, if not sooner, you’ll be able to purchase the entire series in ebook format.