“Now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story which no one on earth has read: which goes on for ever: in which every chapter is better than the one before.” – C. S. Lewis

Most people agonize over getting old or dying, but not me! For reasons that escape me, I’ve always dreaded eternity. It is quite weird, I know, but bear with me…For those of us who are believers in Christ, life is but a speck of time in a journey where the ultimate goal is to see Him face to face. I guess what bothered me about all that was wondering what next? Once we’ve reached that goal, what then?

I must admit that even though I still get a bit anxious about the subject of eternity, I find its mystique appealing. Why would I want to have all the answers now? right? Part of the fun of growing is learning new things and changing our perspective on things that once were familiar to us. I think everyone I know would welcome the thought of living for ever with open arms just because it is all so mysterious and, well, eternal.

I am a big fan of the Chronicles of Narnia as well as many of C.S. Lewis’s other writings. I find the man himself to be fascinating to no end. I was first introduced to the Chronicles of Narnia while reading to a group of students at a school library many years ago. I immediately fell in love with the books and like many of you (and you know who you are) wished Narnia was real. I became reacquainted with the stories when the Disney movie versions came out in the big screen.

When I watched, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, I went home and for the first time in years thought about eternity and didn’t feel afraid. I imagined what Aslan’s country would be like and secretly yearned for it to the point of tears. I know it sounds silly, but when you look around, is there much in the shadow land of our world that makes you feel proud or safe? There’s beauty around us, don’t take me wrong! But it is constantly overshadowed by corruption and greed.

We just watched the latest installment on the Narnia series; The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, and I came home with the same yearning I had when I watched the first movie as well as when I read the first book. I can honestly say, I yearn for Aslan’s return or as we know Him in our world-Christ. I long for the day when He will set all things in order. I began to think about how Christianity has become ridiculed by many and how the world has commercialized everything from holidays to religion until the true message of the gospel seems to have gotten lost in translation somewhere. I wondered why worship services seem empty and monotonous. Why people jump from church to church trying to find fulfillment or the most entertaining worship center in town. But mostly, I wondered why we don’t hear the voice of great prophets anymore…Do you ever wonder?

Is interesting to see the similarities between our world and the one C.S. Lewis created. And I can’t help but feel as the Pevensy children felt every time they left Narnia to go back home; Earnest to fulfill their destiny in the shadow land, yet yearning for Narnia and hopeful for Aslan to call on them again. I know there is much to be done here and I know we won’t be called home until “all have heard…” So I work and give myself to the calling God’s placed in my heart. I don’t let fear of the unknown keep me from pursuing God with all my might. I want to serve Him, knowing that when He calls, I’ll not be caught of guard. I want to do all I can to rein with Christ forever and ever.

Eternity may seem a bit mysterious, but I am hopeful there will be no lack of excitement, new discoveries, and plenty of joyous laughter.