Untameable

I just watched Narnia again. I love that movie! Little Lucy reminds me of my Bear and is so cute, it hurts to look at her. And I just wish I could get away with wearing that green dress that Susan wears. I love it, but I don't think fantastical medieval wear is really a trendy look right now, so I'm probably not going to be picking one up.

By far, though, my favorite character is Aslan (which is Turkish for lion -- I'm sorry, I can't stop being in librarian mode!). Aslan is spectacular. The line "Aslan is on the move," gives me chills every time. But the best parts are how he is described. Mr. Beaver warns the children that when they meet him, their knees might knock so badly they won't be able to stand. Lucy asks, "Then he isn't safe?" Mr. Beaver replies, "Safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he is good." And that message has clearly sunk in for Lucy who becomes the closest to Aslan of the children. As Lucy cries at the end, Mr. Tumnus says, "You musn't miss him. He isn't a tame lion." Lucy is the one who replies, "No, but he is good."

Entire books have been written on the allegorical references in The Chronicles of Narnia, so I won't even begin to delve into the richness of meaning that Lewis wove into his stories, but I love the picture of Jesus that Aslan portrays -- the dual nature that is missing too often in Sunday school. Jesus did say, "Let the little children come unto me," and Aslan demonstrates this gentle, loving side especially in his relationship with Lucy. But Jesus is also called the Lion of Judah and the King of Kings. He is no milk-toast wimp, and I love that the dangerous Aslan shows this powerful, but good side.

For the first time, these favorite lines reminded me of another favorite line from a song we sing at church. In Chris Tomlin's "Indescribable," the lyrics attempt to hint at the unfathomable greatness of God and say

Indescribable, uncontainable
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
All powerful, untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God

I love that word untameable. God is no gentle lapdog who does our bidding, nor is He a safe, domesticated creature who we keep on a leash. He is a force greater than anything we can imagine. And I don't know about you, but I am moved by a God that mighty and powerful.