Warning: this is a bit long

First off I have to say thanks for Lisa, for 1) Introducing me to Relevant Magazine, where I get so many of my books and thoughts from.... and 2) for having a link to Get Fuzzy on her blog. How wonderful, now I can read my favorite comic every day!

And now for something different,
Last night I finished The Last Battle by C.S. Lewis. I've been slowly working my way through them, reading a little each night before bed. And so I want to share just another story from it with you. I love the imagery that Lewis uses, as well, I thought there was a very deep insight here into a bit of the character of God. So, pull up a nice cup of coffee, and sit back and enjoy the story of Emeth and Aslan: Emeth is narrating his story to the children about how he came to realize he was in Aslan’s country (oh, some important info. Emeth is a Calormene, who worship’s the evil god of Tash)

"By the Gods, this is a pleasant place: it may be that I am come into the county of Tash. And I began to journey into the strange country and seek him. So I went over grass and many flowers and among all kinds of wholesome and delectable tress till lo! in a narrow place between two rocks there came to meet me a great Lion. The speed of him was like the ostrich, and his size was an elephant's; his hair was like pure gold and the brightness of his eyes like gold that is liquid in the furnace. He was more terrible tan the Flaming Mountain of Lagour, and in beauty he surpassed all that is in the world even as the rose in bloom surpasses the dust of the desert. Then I fell at his feet and thought, Surely this is the hour of death, for the Lion (who is worthy of all honor) will know that I have served Tash all my days and not him. Nevertheless, it is better to see the Lion and die than to be Tisroc of the world and live and not to have seen him. But the Glorious One bent down his golden head and touched my forehead with his tongue and said, Son, thou art welcome. But I said, Alas Lord, I am no son of thine but the servant of Tash. He answered, Child, all the service thou hast done to Tash, I account as service done to me. Then by reasons of my great desire for wisdom and understanding, I overcame my fear and questioned the Glorious One and said, Lord, is it then true, as the Ape said, that thou and Tash are one? The Lion growled so that the earth shook (but his wrath was not against me) and said, It is false. Not because he and I are one, but because we are opposites, I take to me the services which thou hast done to him. For I and he are of such different kinds that no service which is vile can be done to me, and none which is not vile can be done to him. Therefore if any man swear by Tash and keep his oath for the oath's sake, it is by me that he has truly sworn, though he not know it, and it is I who reward him. And if any man do cruelty in my name, then, though he says the name of Aslan, it is Tash whom he serves and by Tash his deed is accepted. Dost thou understand, Child? I said, Lord, thou knowest how much I understand. But I said also (for the truth constrained me), yet I have been seeking Tash all my days. Beloved, said the Glorious One, unless thy desire had been for me thou woudst not have sought so long and so truly For all find what they truly seek. (C.S. Lewis The Last Battle pg 204-206)."

So what do you think? Can this be true for God as well? As much as I hate to build a theology around a children's book, there does seem to be truth here. Well, if you made it this far, good for you. I'd love to hear what you think.