C.S. Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia are AMAZING! If you haven't read them, you definitely should (the movies are great, but the books trump them any day!) Last semester I read through all 7 books again. It's crazy how much more I was able to draw out of them now that I'm a soon-to-be college graduate as opposed to when I read them as a 5th grade elementary student. But, isn't it neat how God can still meet you and love you and work in your life regardless of your age? I know some pretty amazing youth and children at my church and I don't doubt for a second that God can speak to them and do GREAT things through them…I've seen it. But let me get back through the wardrobe and into Narnia…
I have this awesome poster on my wall that says, "Aslan is on the move". It's a quote from The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe when Mr. Beaver is telling the Pevensie children about the hope of Narnia, the coming fulfillment of the expectation that Aslan will return to Narnia. Later on Lucy asks if Aslan is safe, since he is a lion. The reply: "Course he isn't safe. But he's good." I love this part! I get fired up for Aslan! He's always showing up and fighting for Narnia, encouraging the children to trust Him with everything.
Getting ready for the World Race is different than anything I've ever done. I don't know exactly where I'll be, who I'll be ministering to, who will minister to my heart, what I'll be doing…the details are pretty general in some areas. Just like the kids in Narnia; they don't exactly know the full details of how they are to accomplish things, but they do know Who they are following. When the beaver makes the announcement, "Aslan is on the move," you immediately know that it doesn't matter what happens or who you have to fight, Aslan will win and you want to be on His side. That pumps me up. We are in a spiritually dark world with confusion, temptation, corruption, hate, etc. It's been winter for a long time, the White Witch has ruled the land for over 100 years with a stern hand, BUT "ASLAN IS ON THE MOVE!" JESUS IS ON THE MOVE!! Our world looks grim, hurt, upside-down, but it is not overwhelming for Jesus. His Name alone is enough to spark Hope and an expectation of healing and restoration. ("In His Name the nations will put their hope." – Matt. 12:21)
I can see evidence of Jesus moving all around. Just last week, Gardner-Webb had "Celebration Week"…sort of an on campus revival. There were great testimonies of faith showing God's hand on the lives of students. The songs were an amazing time of worship. The Spirit moved as we prayed over our campus during 24/7 prayer all week. Christ is at work here. He's at work in the middle of my preparation for this trip. On Sunday I was able to hear a former world racer speak and I also met one of my squadmates for July! What an awesome blessing already! I have had many people ask me about the Race, promise to pray for me, to support me. I've had a good amount of college students shell out $20 for a t-shirt to help fund mission work! God is showing His faithfulness in how things are coming together. I know He's moving and I'm excited to follow 🙂
