Well Spent Livin’

“I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone ‘like a son of man,’ dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters.” (Rev. 1:12-15).

OK…it’s now official. My older sons are hereby no longer going to the movies with their way too emotional mother…

Ever again.

We have just returned from seeing Prince Caspian, and I, by far, was the most openly expressive participant in the movie theatre.

It really doesn’t matter if you have read the book. I think I did somewhere in my distant past, but quite frankly, I’ve never quite made it past the enchantment of the The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. But this adaptation of C.S. Lewis’ book to the silver screen trumps the Wardrobe. The graphics are incredible, and while I could do without some of the comedic license given to talking mice, I thoroughly engaged with the movie through my emotional and spiritual lenses.

It’s not a new story. Good verses evil, with good winning out in the end. But it was the good ending of this particular story that nearly sent me into audible shouts of hallelujahs and hands raised in praise.

Nearly.

I remembered the two boys next to me and restrained my response by grasping my mouth, while allowing the free fall of tears to wet my shirt. They simply nudged one another (as if they knew it was coming) and handed me a napkin.

In one of the final scenes, the battle reaches its climax on a bridge over rushing waters. Aslan, the Lion, sounds his voice with a deafening roar, forcing all within earshot to take notice. All.

Created beings and created earth.

It was then that my Charlton Heston, Ten Commandments kind of moment arrived. I knew it was coming for I could hear the stir of the waters even as they crescendoed in response to the sound of Aslan’s voice. From the North, and with the fury of a Savior’s beckoning, the water found its way to the battle line. It didn’t come alone, but rather it came with the visual imprint of a face within its engulfing wet, representing the witness of my God’s presence.

I don’t remember much about the rest of the movie. My heart and my thoughts remained suspended in that scene for the final minutes of the film. However, this one scene was enough to catapult Prince Caspian into the category of money well spent. It is a good scene to remember, for with its remembrance comes a rich metaphor of how a life can catapult its way into the category of well-spent.

A well-spent life is a life lived in the truth of who our God is.

A rescuing God. An awe-inspiring Creator who belongs to our battles because a Savior has made a way. A soon and coming King whose voice commands the surrender of all creation.

Not a wimpy God. Not an unconcerned Creator. Not a God who turns away from the cries of his children as they face the toughest battles of their earthly existence. Not a cruel God who limits his love only to the good and to the righteous.

No, my God is a consuming God. He is the finisher of the battle. The final Word that trumps ours. He is the Wind and the Waves. The Fire and the Flood. He is the First and the Last. The Love and the Grace. And at the end of the day, as we stand on the bridge of our climax, all that really matters is that our souls breathe in unison with living, breathing Water who arrives on our scene…at just exactly the right time…to usher us into our next.

He is the One who brings a shout to my heart this day. For all of the other reasons to find some joy, there is none better than Him.

Now…I don’t know about you, but I certainly think a hallelujah is in order. And just in case you haven’t seen the movie…no need to worry. God’s Word is enough to script your heart with a similar response and to catapult your journey into the category of a life well-lived.

“I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron scepter. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has the name written:

KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” (Revelation 19:11-16).

My sons may never want to go to another movie with me, but as long as they make the final journey with me, we’re good to go.

Give yourself a treat this week. Go see Prince Caspian. Greater still, go and visit our God on the pages of his holy Word. Either way, it is time well spent, and you just might find your hallelujah in the process!

As always,