TD 200320 Aslan inspires hope 
200320 Aslan inspires hope


Aslan the Lion is a creation of CS Lewis, the author of the Narnia series, set in a world locked in winter and hoping for spring to come. Aslan, through an act of extraordinary sacrifice, will thaw the Narnia world (perhaps picked up in the Disney’s Frozen film. 'Only the act of true love will thaw a frozen heart'). Aslan is introduced in a conversation between the Beavers and one of the lead characters.
 
‘Is he a man?’ asked Lucy.
 
‘Aslan a man!’ said Mr Beaver sternly. ‘Certainly not. I tell you he is King of the wood and the son of the great emperor-beyond-the-sea. Don’t you know who is the King of the Beasts? Aslan is a lion, the Lion, the great lion.’
 
‘Ooh!’ said Susan, ‘I’d thought he was a man. Is he quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion.’
 
‘That you will, dearie, and no mistake’, said Mrs Beaver, ‘If there’s anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they’re either braver than most or else just silly.’
 
‘Then he isn’t safe?’ said Lucy.
 
‘Safe?’ said Mr Beaver; ‘don’t you hear what Mrs Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? Of course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.’
 
Aslan inspires hope.
 
Go back over the conversation and ponder what this means for you today, this week, this time.
 
Graeme Skinner