"The Magician's Nephew" - In the Beginning

In The Beginning
C.S. Lewis starts off the series of "The Chronicles of Narnia" with a magically touching story of a young boy, Digory, who experiences the unknown worlds with his friend Polly by his side, all the while grieving for his ill mother. "It is a very important story because it shows how all the comings and goings between our own world and the land of Narnia first began." (Lewis) The story ultimately portrays the sovereign workings of the Creator through the the battle of good and evil, the characters' struggles with grief, and the consequences of sin on the earth. C.S. Lewis, using Aslan, creates a clear picture of a God who loves his creation, takes pride in what he has accomplished, and above all possess an unconditional love.
In the beginning, God spoke the world into existence, and he continues to speak to us today. Embedded deep within each person is the desire to know where we came from, the yearning to know why we exist, and what our purpose is. With these desires comes the realization that we have the opportunity to choose the way in which we will respond to our Creator's voice. The characters' first encounter with Aslan metaphors this decision. When Digory and Polly hear Aslan's voice they are filled with joy, peace, and the desire to know more. Uncle Andrew and Jardis' response was quite different, they felt disgusted, are horrified, and all the want is for Aslan to stop singing. Everyone, at one time in their lives, will encounter the voice of our creator through many different experiences. Just like the characters in the book we each will have the opportunity tp choose the way in which we will respond and whether not we want to have a relationship with the Creator. With this enounter begins the journey.
Another theme that runs throughout the book is the existence of good and evil with the world and the conflict that this creates. Near the end of the story, Aslan turns to confront Digory, who is responsible for bringing the evil and powerful Queen Jadis into the beautiful, new, and perfect Narnia. Aslan challenges Digory to realize that he is responsible for his own actions and tells him that he must make right the wrong that he has done. Despite the best of intentions, Digory's own agenda, his own will and desire, has caused him to act impulsively without considering how this might affect others - he just had to ring that bell. As Digory, we must become conscious that our wrongdoings and poor choices may have far-reaching consequences for those around us and the world in which we live. It is a typical human pattern to allow our sinful nature govern out desires and perceived needs, which in turn drive us to make selfish and foolish choices. Evil is ever present in our world due to the abuse of the gift that God has given mankind - free choice. As long as there is sin in the world there will constantly be a struggle between good and evil. There is hope, for just like Asland promised in the end of the book, God also promises us that good will eventually triumph in the end. "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him." (Romans 8:28a)
Aslan is a true depiction of love; this is shown through his first command to the newly created world and inhabitants of Narnia, which is to love. This command grows out of a foundation's attribute deeply ingrained in the Creator. We are able to witness the love that he has for all that he has made and knows through the children's interactions with him. This is most evident when Digory looks into Aslan's eyes after asking that his mother be cured, he sees that Asland's tears for his pain is even deeper than his own. Through his love he heals; Digory is rewarded for his belief and trust in Aslan, and also for conquering his own selfish desires. Alsan is a true depiction of our own Creator - God. God gives us more than our hearts desires, if only we trust Him, do His will for our lives, and follow in his way.
How will you respond to our Creator?