Not Tame, But Good

Dear Readers,

At a family reunion this weekend my oldest nephew was polishing his sword that he uses in Medieval Faires. My youngest nephew graduated from ranger school with the goal of becoming a forest ranger in a national park. My son crafts computer graphics images and spends hours developing them, and has the goal of becoming a computer graphics designer.

Each one is so different, but also so alike in their quest of adventure and meaning. I sometimes would like to get into each of their heads to gain some perspective what drives them toward adventure.

Where does the passion for adventure come from? Why do guys like to watch and read adventure stories? Does it come from within a person, or is learned?

The Bible does not use the word “adventure” much, but is there adventure within its pages? A saying that keeps coming to my mind is one from C.S Lewis’s “Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” book and movie. It goes as follows:

Mr Tumnus: "Don't worry. We'll see him again."

Lucy: "When?"

Mr Tumnus: "In time. One day he'll be here and the next he won't. But you must not press him. After all, he's not a tame lion."

Lucy: "No... but he is good."

They are speaking of Aslan the Lion which writer Lewis allegorically equates to Jesus. Mr. Tumnus says to Lucy that Aslan is “not a tame lion”. Then Lucy says, “No… but he is good.”

Is Jesus tame? I would propose to you that he is not. The Bible is an adventure story full of plots, twists, and intrigue. Jesus is the main character to which every story line in the Bible leads us. Jesus is the “good” hero of the story, as Aslan, that came in and saved the day, made the wrongs right, and that leads to a celebration of victory.

So sharpen your swords. Get ready to take the land. Design the tools to seize the day. The adventure is at hand!

See you next time,
Arlen