TOTHEUNTAMEDHEART.

There is a moment in The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe– okay, okay,… so there are more accurately a lot of moments- where I see the Father through His good nature and the hope of our inheritance. Sitting in the quiet of my son’s still bedroom, void of all siblings, we’ve been snuggling under blankets reading through the first two books in the series to catch up to his big sister so we can read them all together.

In this particular book in the series, Edmund leaves his three siblings who have been promised to rule on four thrones in Narnia (himself included), to cleave to the promise of the witch, who fed him what he perceived to be the best food, though it was actually just enchanted food that would always taste good but never satisfy, always leaving one more hungry. All he has to do is take her to his siblings. Before you know it, Edmund is missing from his siblings and on his way to betray them, the beavers, and Aslan.

Eventually, Edmund’s eyes are opened to who she really is and is rescued and brought back to his siblings.

When the siblings awake to hear of Edmund’s return and safety, they go out to find him walking alone with Aslan talking in quiet, intimate tones. No one ever knows what is said to Edmund, but when the Witch comes to meet with Aslan to take back what she claims belongs to her (Edmund), Edmund never looks at the Witch or any of her other horrid servants facing them. His gaze is set on Aslan.

He looks on the One he trusts. He believes that Aslan is who He says He is, and doesn’t allow all the threats of the witch nor the law to strike even a hint of fear in him because he knows whose he is- and he knows Aslan will take care of it.

Hebrews 3 opens up with a promise, “You are now made holy, and each of you is invited to the feast of your heavenly calling.”

The author doesn’t rest here. He doesn’t dust his hands, pretending it’s as easy as that. He knows. He knows how hard it is when faced with our shortcomings, hardships, and scary circumstances how difficult it is to keep our heads turned from our problems, eyes fixed on our Lion.

“So search your hearts every day, my brothers and sisters, and make sure that none of you has evil or unbelief hiding within you.” (Hebrews 3:12 TPT)

All of the miracles the Israelites witnessed as God walked them out of the bondage of slavery in Egypt. Waters turning to blood, firstborn son’s being redeemed while the enemies’ were killed, rivers parted, rocks springing forth water, manna falling from the sky,… they were surrounded by miracles. For 40 years, the Lord walked with them and showed them which direction to go by being a pillar of fire before them. The Father pursued their love in such a passionate way, showered them with miracles, and they didn’t have eyes to see. They were too bogged down by disbelief to let the chains fall.

I don’t want the Lord to have to pursue me passionately for 40 years, ignoring him in disbelief.

I don’t want to have such a poor recollection of all the times He showed up for me that when things are good I recieve the dopamine and praise him but when things are hard I forget all the miracles I’ve been witness to.

Father, don’t let disbelief cloud my perception.

I’ve seen miracles. And maybe I haven’t seen legs grow out or eyes healed, but I have seen my own miracles. I’ve seen the Lord miraculously heal my body, I’ve seen the Lord touch my finances in a miraculous way, I’ve seen cancer disappear through our persistent prayers. I’ve seen a pregnant mom bleeding way too significantly for everything to be okay and I’ve seen the healthy baby.

I’ve seen miracles. I’ve seen the Lord.

We have been made holy, and not only that (as if that weren’t good enough), we have received an invitation to feast at the table of our Father, with an inheritance beyond our wildest dreams. Will we receive it? Will we throw off all disbelief, give thanks, and eat of it? Will we set up our stones of remembrance and walk among those in the difficulty?

Toward the end of chapter 3, the author warns, “It is clear that they could not enter into their inheritance because they wrapped their hearts in unbelief.”

Are you keeping yourself from the good the Father wants to lavish on you? Stop punishing yourself and weighing your worthiness on your own scale. No more yielding the Spirit, which I’m coming to learn is so much more than I ever thought it was.

It is time to receive your gift, friend.