I have never been into Clive Staples Lewis’ writings, but with The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe film coming out soon, I wanted to get the books read before I watched the movie. I’m nearly at the end of The Magician’s Nephew, and I came across a quote that I find just outstanding.

“The fruit always works – it must work – but it does not work happily for any who pluck it at their own will.” – Aslan

Now, anyone knows that Lewis used a ton of Christian imagery in his books, especially the Chronicles. I believe Aslan is obviously an allegory for Jesus Christ, Narnia is either Heaven or a New Earth (or the Garden of Eden – Aslan calls humans sons of Adam or daughters of Eve, for crying out loud), and the creation of Narnia was a wonderful allegory for the Creation of the world (which also greatly resembles Tolkein’s story of creation in his Silmarillion). But the nuances in the books are so subtle, yet so distinct. The quote above is one example. The fruit referenced is an apple-type fruit that would give youth and healing to the one who eats it. This fruit was good – it was created by Aslan himself. But there were warnings with the fruit, warnings that if used in the wrong way, the fruit would produce very bad things. It would give the eater what they wanted, but with it would come eternal despair. How can something created for good have a potential for evil? It all depends on what we do with it.

I was immediately reminded of following God’s will. Have you ever felt that God was showing you a glimpse into His plan for your life, but was telling you clearly that now is not the time to carry out that piece of the plan? He has often given this to me, because I ask for it, and then tells me “But you must be patient.” There is much truth in what Aslan said above. When we run ahead of God, even if it’s in His plan, it suddenly becomes *our* plan, and not *His* plan. I’m also reminded of the phrase “the right thing at the wrong time is the wrong thing”. Well, apparently C.S. Lewis felt the same way.

Let’s be excited to know God’s plan for our lives, but let’s also be cautious to listen to His word and wait on His timing. Let Him right your story, and you know it will be the greatest story ever told.

-j

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