Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Aslan is on the move...

In the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe one of the clearest pictures of Gods kingdom coming on earth is the idea of spring breaking into the perpetual winter that has been facing Narnia.  This winter began as a result of the work of the enemy in the land of Narnia.  However now that Aslan, the Jesus figure in the book, is approaching in His fullness, spring is breaking into winter!
I love this picture of spring because it makes sense to me.  While living in Omaha one of the most difficult times of the year for me was the end of March and early April because I was so tired of ugly, dirty snow covering the streets.  I vividly remember one spring I came home to Georgia to go on a three day fishing trip with my dad.  Spring had already begun to burst on the scene as temperatures had risen, trees and flowers had started to bloom and as we fished the chills of our Omaha snows melted away in my mind.  As I boarded my flight back to Nebraska the memory of snow had been replaced by the sounds of birds chirping and children playing and I couldn't wait to get back and dive head first into the joy of a new season.  But tragedy struck.
On the flight back to Omaha, as we were nearing the state line of Iowa and Nebraska, I looked out the window of the airplane to see, of all things, a freak, early spring snow shower that ended up dumping about five inches of snow in Omaha.  I was crushed.  I hate to say I was depressed but at the time it was definitely the word that fit my emotions most clearly.  Instead of spring breaking into my winter, the cold, lifesless and dreaded winter had invaded MY life-filled, joyous spring. 

When Jesus tells his listeners "The time has come.  The kingdom of God is near.  Turn and believe the good news", he really believes it is good news.  Why?  Because Gods kingdom coming to earth means that spring is breaking into winter.  Life, freedom, joy, salvation is breaking into the places where the enemy has been bringing about death.  And the beautiful thing about spring is when it comes, it does so in a complete manner, meaning nothing is left untouched.  There is never any snow left on the ground when spring comes to Nebraska.  It may try to hold on but ultimately it all melts away and gives way to spring.  So it is with the kingdom.  His kingdom is over all and affects all and our life and action must represent this reality.  
Question: What do you think it means to be a "Kingdom Minded People?"  What winter do you think Jesus wants to bring His spring into?  

2 comments:

Mari said...

I think Kingdom Minded People long to see “His kingdom come, His will be done on earth as it is in Heaven” despite the cost. Jesus preached “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” (Matt 4:17) We need to be a repentant people – allowing God to transform EVERY area of our mind, will and emotions that disagree with Him and come into agreement with Him with a truly repentant heart. We need to stand out or like Tom says be “crazy” – we are not going to be popular, some of this is “crazy” stuff, but it IS Kingdom stuff! (Matt 5:10) When Jesus talks about the kingdom of Heaven being near He talks about “healing the sick, raising the dead and driving out demons.” (Matt 10:7)

Father God wants to bring His spring into the winters of bondage and broken-heartedness because it’s getting in the way of what “Kingdom Minded People” are called to do and from “His will being done on earth as it is in Heaven”.

Tammy Ma said...

hey...love it. One of fave lines from the book, "Aslan is on the move". Love the pic at the top Steve, did you know that the original painting is hanging in our prayer/fasting room?

For the American church, I would love to see HIS KINGDOM break forth in the area in the area of faith. Actually believing God for radically crazy, ridiculously wild, unbelievable things! Miracles. Unfortunately, the norm seems to be to make excuses for God as to why miracles can't or don't happen in America. Wouldn't it be incredible if our church would be characterized as a community of people who actually count on God for everything, even the impossible. One where the miracles are the norm?

Just a random response, I could actually think of a few more things, but it is late, and I am mom to a newborn! ha.

Did you like the way I said, 'our church'? Ha, I consider RiverStone, StoneBridge, and your church to all be MINE too....