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August 9, 2006
There is no other stream
I heard this excerpt from C.S. Lewis' the Silver Chair on the radio the other day:
"Are you not thirsty?" said the Lion. "I am dying of thirst," said Jill. "Then drink," said the Lion. "May I--could I--would you mind going away while I do?" said Jill. The Lion answered this only by a look and a very low growl. And as Jill gazed at its motionless bulk, she realized that she might as well have asked the whole mountain to move aside for her convenience. The delicious rippling noise of the stream was driving her nearly frantic. "Will you promise not to--do anything to me, if I do come?" said Jill. "I make no promise," said the Lion. Jill was so thirsty now that, without noticing it, she had come a step nearer. "Do you eat girls?" she said. "I have swallowed up girls and boys, women and men, kings and emperors, cities and realms," said the Lion. It didn't say this as if it were boasting, nor as if it were sorry, nor as if it were angry. It just said it. "I daren't come and drink," said Jill. "Then you will die of thirst," said the Lion. "Oh dear!" said Jill, coming another step nearer. "I suppose I must go and look for another stream then." "There is no other stream," said the Lion.
There is no other stream? Seriously? Of course I know there is no other stream, but you wouldn't know it from my actions sometimes. When I heard this quote on the radio the other day I cried. Now, granted, I'm a crier. I cry at weddings, graduations, emails, Friends episodes, I am one of the reasons they invented water-proof mascara. But this wasn't one of those "aww...how sweet" cries. It also wasn't really a soul cleansing cry either. It was more the type of mourning crying that occurs when you realize you've been running after the wrong things, and how did you get this far away from the source of your life?
I realized that I'm just like Jill in this passage. I'm afraid that God is going to do something to me if I come nearer. I'm afraid that it will hurt. You know the passage about removing our hearts of stone and replacing them with hearts of flesh, well that just sounds a bit painful. In my head I know that His promises are good and that He is a good and loving Father. But right now there's a bit of a disconnect between my head and my heart. Does anyone have the Chronicles of Narnia books? Maybe I should read on and remember what happens with Jill (it's been since, oh 5th grade since I've read these books). In the end of this passage she does step nearer, she is thirsty and there is no other stream. Maybe that thirst will overwhelm her, and me as well.
| By Claire | 2:53 PM
Comments
It never occurred to Jill to disbelieve the Lion--no one who had seen his stern face could do that--and her mind suddenly made itself up. It was the worst thing she had ever had to do, but she went forward to the stream, knelt down, and began scooping up water in her hand. It was the coldest, most refreshing water she had ever tasted. You didn't need to drink much of it, for it quenched your thirst at once. Before she tasted it she had been intending to make a dash away from the Lion the moment she finished. Now, she realized that this would be on the whole the most dangerous thing of all. She got up and stood there with her lips still wet from drinking.
"Come here," said the Lion. And she had to. She was almost between its front paws now, looking straight into its face. But she couldn't stand that for long; she dropped her eyes...
Great post, Claire. I too often go wandering from other streams and, oh, the scrapes and cuts and bruises and heartache from not finding them.
Posted by: Neil E. Das at August 9, 2006 2:27 PM
That should be "wandering for other streams," and the Chronicles are brilliant to read as an adult. This chapter from the Silver Chair alone is packed with spiritual metaphors, including some in which Lewis is being, rather uncharacteristically, quite Reformed.
Posted by: Neil E. Das at August 9, 2006 2:29 PM
Sarah and I read through the Chronicles together last year and they are fun adventures, but the allagory mixed into it is way over the heads of any child. It's as if Lewis wrote the books expecting parents to read them to their child and be renewed in the process.
Right now, I am almost through read Lewis' Space Trilogy. It is excellent stuff as well, but sometimes it goes way over MY head.
Posted by: kirk at August 10, 2006 1:52 PM
Claire... thank you for that. Don't you just wish your heart always believed it? I am praying for you. As another girl learned in another book, and I wish I believed, He is not safe, but He is good. I love you so much! I'll see you soon.
Heifs
Posted by: Heifer at August 10, 2006 2:17 PM
Claire-
I'd love to lend you my Chronicles of Narnia books. I'll try to remember to bring them with me to South City this Sunday (will you be there?). Thanks for your honest post! I too struggle with the whole head/heart disconnect and am thankful Jesus continues to pursue my fearful heart. Blessings to you sister!
Posted by: Tanya at August 15, 2006 2:02 PM
thanks tanya! i would love to borrow those books from you! i'm sorta home now. i'll be traveling with my brother next week, but i'll be back at new city on the 27th. can't wait to see everyone!
Posted by: Claire at August 18, 2006 5:17 PM
Yeah, I saw you weren't at church Sunday but I'll just keep the books in my car so when I do see you I can give them to you. Have fun with your brother.
Posted by: Tanay at August 21, 2006 6:34 PM
I guess I forgot how to spell my name, or my keyboard is taking over... honestly when I saw "Tanay" I though, "Who is that?"... sometimes I make myself laugh... is that wierd?
Posted by: Tanya at August 21, 2006 11:46 PM
yes, Tanya, that is weird.
(Welcome back Claire!)
Posted by: heiid at August 22, 2006 12:44 PM
thanks heidi! i'm not quite back yet. i'm out in the wild wild west right now and can't wait to be home.
see ya soon tanay! :)
Posted by: Claire at August 23, 2006 12:24 AM