so many weeks i walk out of church newly illumined and itching to share in this space. but then sunday turns into monday-tuesday-wednesday, and while i’ve still got hold of broad themes, most of the details have flitted off to the never-never-land regions of my brain.
but this sunday i took notes! and didn’t lose them! so here we go, flecks of truth from pastor mark’s message.
“Is–is he a man?” asked Lucy.
“Aslan a man!” said Mr. Beaver sternly. “Certainly not. I tell you he is the King of the wood and the son of the great Emperor-Beyond-the-Sea. Don’t you know who is the King of Beasts? Aslan is a lion–the Lion, the great Lion.”
“Ooh,” said Susan, “I thought he was a man. Is he–quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion.”
“That you will, dearie, and make no mistake,” said Mrs. Beaver; “if there’s anyone who can appear before Alsan without their knees knocking, they’re either braver than most or else just silly.”
“Then he isn’t safe?” said Lucy.
“Safe?” said Mr. Beaver; “don’t you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the king, I tell you.”
–CS Lewis, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
when we’re in a restaurant and the meal is stumbling along in a disappointing sort of way, we sometimes ask: who’s in charge here? let me speak to the manager. we want direct access to the person with the authority to change things.
at the same time, we like to box Jesus up, make him safe and explicable; we’re good with the baby swaddled in cloth and maybe even the guy who saves a party with great wine. but the man who commands all of nature with a word? who stills thrashing seas, silences gale force winds? what on earth are we supposed to do with him?
when that guy walks in, we skitter way past feeling merely unsettled. Jesus shoots us straight into the raw terror of his power, his holiness, his willingness to die. who in their right mind loves with that kind of intensity? he leaves us shaky and with hearts turned to water, and then he calls to us.
come, follow me.
how do we respond to Jesus, who speaks a word, who IS the Word through whom every galaxy and monad flashed into existence?
so often in this messy humanity we find ourselves in situations where we’re desperate for answers, healing, relief. where we’re aching for something to change.
and again we ask: who’s in charge? who’s in charge here? who has the authority to change this situation? who commands all of life, all of my life?
‘cause if it’s me, i’m clean out of options.
but if i yield my life to Jesus, everything impossible and good just stepped into the room.
-loves like a hurricane, i am a tree bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy-
this is the God who goes before us, journeys beside us, fills us up, has our back.
‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the king, I tell you.
O w e n s t o A f r i c a 
truth. I love that movie quote. ‘oh, he’s not safe. but he’s good.’ Indeed, he is very, very good.
Happy Easter to the Owens!
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and happy easter to the dietz household! i have to tell you, b’s self-portrait at 100 is FANTASTIC…clearly he is not planning on a haircut during the next 94 years. 🙂 i am in love with all of your kiddos. they should come over and play with mine, and we can do crazy together!
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Love it, as always! You are so perfect with words Nicki. And I love this view of our wonderful God!! I love that song too by the way 🙂 Listening to it in the van the other day and I find it so poetic. Love to you all!!
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oh i know, what a song (and what a God!). dissolves me into a mess of tears every time. love you so much, and i’m still praying for your house–and all of you! has anyone come to view the house recently? fill me in when you have a minute. and please go hug those kiddos for us and tell them we said hello!
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I’m so glad, aren’t you?, that He’s PASSIONATE. Nobody wants a god who loves people with the same passion he loves a ham sandwich (even a really good ham sandwich). It helps me to think about how wild-eyed and over the moon and just watch-me-take-a-bullet-for-you I get for my people…the ones I’ve really chosen…the ones I claim as my own……….and THEN remember I’m not even capable of loving like he loves. Not even a speck how he loves. That’s My God (and Yours). And He doesn’t need us to be perfect…just to try our best…just to love him back.
My brother sailed through surgery #2, today. Thank you for your faithful prayers on his behalf. You’re PRECIOUS TO ME.
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SO glad to here about your dear brother!! thank You, Lord!!! i am loving all of your photos on facebook…he is looking GREAT.
i love the way you love. reminds me of Him.
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Oh I just love this. I loooove serving a King that is powerful beyond belief and I can rest my full weigh ton Him because he is strong. (Of course it’s terrifying when I realize the extent of my sin ) but right now it just feels to serve the creator of the universe!
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yes, exactly! He’s terrifying, but He’s GOOD. what an incredible God. praying for your upcoming plans and boldness for all those involved!!
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I got goosebumps reading this…Thank you for using your wonderful words to remind us about the great and mighty King that we serve.
And I also want to read that book again:)
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you and landon are some of those folks who keep it fresh in our minds that He is worth it all. (‘His worth is the fuel of our mission!’) can’t wait to have you near again.
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I love you. I thank God for your channel to the Holy Spirit, and for blessing you with the gift of amazing articulation, then giving you gumption to share, to love, to give, to GO. Praise Jesus!
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thank you, nic. love: “but if i yield my life to Jesus, everything impossible and good just stepped into the room.” thank you, jesus, for You here with/in me/us. amazing.
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Hey Owens!
Included your blog in list of missionary blogs in a post today. https://bibledude.net/may-month-of-missions/
Thanks for sharing your heart!
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