i recently finished reading “the voyage of the dawn treader” with my kids.
even before mason’s death, i have been known to shed some tears at the symbolisms, the beauty captured in the character of aslan. a lion… a powerful, allegorical depiction of a sovereign, strong God who stops and cares and saves and takes time to reveal himself to children.
this time was no exception.
in the last chapter (spoiler alert!), i’m reading about reepicheep, my most favorite talking mouse ever. he’s brave and adventuresome, and with sword always in hand, never shirks from fighting for what is right, even though he is mere inches in height.
someone is needed to be left behind at the worlds end, in order to save others.
“go into the utter east and never return into this world?” reepicheep responds. “that is my heart’s desire.”
what is so powerful to me is reepicheep’s eagerness to reach the end of the world and not return. he knows aslan’s country awaits him. he isn’t doing this out of bravery or even sacrifice. he is excited! he knows that a world with aslan is better than anything else.
as they near the very end, reepicheep says, “‘this is where i go on alone.’… then he took off his sword, ‘i shall need this no more,’ he said, and flung it far away across the lilied sea.”
a brave warrior mouse leaving behind a sword he is never without? this means only one thing…
there is nothing to fear!
nothing to fear because he knows aslan.
“then he bade them good-bye, trying to be sad for their sakes, but he was quivering with happiness.”
quivering with happiness!!!
this is how we can leave with this world when we truly know what awaits us in the next. when we truly understand the love and power of salvation of our aslan.
“safe? course he isn’t safe. but he’s good. he’s the King, i tell you.”
