Activating Childlike Faith

“Take a moment to imagine a doorway. Perhaps you envision the entrance to a cozy cabin, or maybe you picture a massive entryway fit for a palace. Regardless of how the image looks in your mind’s eye, what it symbolizes is an opportunity.” – Dr. Charles Stanley, In Touch Devotional: "What Lies Ahead"

Hello Dear Friend,

My, my, it’s hard to believe how fast the previous year has flown! It’s like I snapped my fingers and poof here I am welcoming 2022. For me the first full week of the New Year started out with a snowstorm. Since we weren’t anticipating for winter to arrive in our neck of the woods with such a bang this week, no one was prepared for the hazardous conditions that followed. As the wind howled and the snow fell at a rapid pace the result was blizzard like conditions. My work week ended somewhat like it began, I woke up Friday morning to a snow globe, bone chilling temperatures (which had the “real feel” dropping down into the double digits below zero) and a new winter weather advisory.

After a snowy work week I decided to enter into my weekend by spending part of my Friday evening watching one of my favorite movies when winter releases her hand. So I got comfy by wrapping myself up in a big blanket and cued up the first installment of The Chronicles of Narnia.

Earlier this week my daily devotional had me reading the passage I quoted above. It’s funny how I was just thinking this morning that one of my favorite scenes from The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe involves a doorway. What do I envision when I think about a door? As you’ve probably already guessed, I picture the door to a wardrobe that leads into a magical land.

Lucy Sets The Stage

One of my favorite scenes from the movie is when Lucy first opens the door to an abandoned room while playing a game of hide-and-seek with her siblings one rainy afternoon. Upon opening the door just wide enough to peak her head through the gap she discovers that the room holds a forgotten piece of furniture covered up with a large white sheet and tucked away collecting dust on the opposite side of an otherwise empty room.

She quietly inches her way closer and closer towards the other side of the room until the towering covered rectangle is finally within her reach. As her arm stretches in front of her she reaches out her tiny hand to firmly grasp a handful of the fabric. She hesitates in the moment before her curious mind causes her to give it a good tug. As the large sheet is yanked away and floating down towards Lucy’s feet it unveils its mystery to reveal the hidden wardrobe. Delighted of her new discovery, Lucy’s eyes begin to twinkle and a smile eases across her little face. She cautiously steps into her chosen hiding place and we all know what she ends up finding hidden in the wardrobe – unknown distant lands.

If you’ve never had the pleasure of watching the movie then I highly recommend that you do so. Maybe you have watched it but it’s been awhile, I encourage you to refresh your memory. Based on C.S. Lewis’ book and the words he uses to create the land of Narnia and form its memorable character’s while combining the film score that Harry Gregson-Williams composed for the movie are reasons enough to watch it.

Practicing Lucy-like Faith

Being both a Christian and a writer I appreciate the symbolism C.S. Lewis created when designing Lucy’s character - it’s so beautiful. I love how he uses Lucy to represent this strong young girl with unending faith while at the same time she’s showing us the innocence found in a young child. Her curious mind urges her to cross over the threshold of that newly opened door and step into the unknown world that's extended before her. Being one of the most relatable characters in the series, through her we can often find traces of ourselves.

It’s remarkable how the curiosity found in a young child causes them to be fearless. A closed door only means one thing to a kid as their mind tells them, “I have to open that door. I have to see what’s on the other side.” Within the next couple of seconds their hand has turned the door handle and as their little body pushes against the door to get it open there’s only one thing left to do. The little detective goes through the opening to investigate everything on the other side.

Much like a child being drawn to explore new territory found behind a closed door, there’s something about Aslan that draws Lucy in. If she was ever asked she probably wouldn’t even be able to tell you why exactly. She can’t help it. There is something about him that causes her to have complete trust in him. She doesn’t fear the fact that he’s a lion or that she’s following him into an unlikely situation with unknown circumstances – at times she’s scared and doesn’t trust herself but she never stops trusting him.

Lucy’s faith and trust in Aslan exhibits the same faith and trust that young children put in their parents. As young children we trust our parents to protect us and keep us safe. We trust them to guide us so we follow them wherever they go and never question if they might be leading us into danger. We trust them to be honest with us so we believe everything they tell us. We also trust them to nurture us so we eagerly learn every lesson they want and chose to teach us.

No matter how old I get I’ll never stop being a child to God. I’ll never stop being a child of God. I’ll never stop growing and learning and stretching my faith because I’ll never be too old to stop completely putting my trust in Him.

In my Christian walk I often display the same trust found in Lucy. Often times, I too, find myself in front of a symbolic door of opportunity. The full benefits of what lies behind the other side of that door are only revealed when I activate my faith by trusting in God and I turn that door handle to embrace the unknown. The biggest question to ask is this...

“Am I curious enough to walk through God’s door of opportunity?"

As I’ve turned over my calendar to 2022 I’m eager to see what is headed my way. I have hope in the possibilities. Despite both the external and internal struggles I may face, despite being unsure if I’m brave enough, strong enough or worthy enough – I will continue to exercise my faith, trust and obedience in Christ alone. With great expectations I’m excited to receive all that is waiting beyond those doors and the opportunities that present themselves.

With love,

a Poetic Soul