The King’s Delicacies
I like nice things: Nice cars, nice clothes, nice houses, even certain rich foods.
Do you?
There is nothing inherently wrong with liking nice things, but how much do I like them? How often do I enjoy them? Do I pursue them? Do they consume my thoughts? Do I chase these things and think about them more than I do Jesus?
In The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis, Edmund is led astray when the White Witch offers him her own special delicacy, Turkish delight. It is wartime in the story when Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy are sent by their parents to live in safety with the Professor out in the country. Lucy discovers a wardrobe leading to the secret land of Narnia.
Food rations in Europe have fallen below wartime levels when the four children are sent to the country. And, even though warned by Mr. Tumnus, when Edmund ventures into the magical land of Narnia with Lucy, he becomes easy prey for the White Witch when she offers him Turkish delight. He will do almost anything to get more of the dainty morsel.
I wonder. What is your Turkish delight?
As the story progresses, we find that Edmund's desire for more Turkish delight leads him to betray his siblings, Mr. Beaver, and all those fighting against the White Witch in Narnia. He chooses to side with her, yet the Witch treats him cruelly and refuses to give him more Turkish delight because her power is waning and the snow in once-frozen Narnia is beginning to melt. The White Witch now plans to murder Edmund, and all of Narnia must come to his rescue, though it is the sacrifice of Aslan, the lion, who pays the ultimate price for Edmund's freedom.
The Holy Bible tells us in 1 Corinthians 7:23, "God paid a high price for you, so don’t be enslaved by the world."
Paul tells us these loving words to encourage us. We never know when or how our challenge may come. But, it will come. If we are enslaved by the world, then we will fail the test and make things more difficult—even sacrificial—not only for ourselves, but for those around us.
Ripple effects are far-reaching and long-lasting—both good and bad. Jesus has already removed the world's chains from us.
May we all live in this freedom. Our King's delicacies are greater than anything this ol' world could ever offer us.
Goodnight, Runners.
Comments