In book six of the Chronicles of Narnia, entitled “The Silver Chair,” a somewhat haughty and spoiled girl named Jill Pole ends up in Narnia. She grows thirsty, but she is afraid to approach the nearby stream because Aslan, the huge golden lion (who represents Christ) is sitting beside the stream. Jill is faced with a dilemma. She’s terribly thirsty, but she’s even more frightened of the lion. In a conversation with Aslan she expresses her fear.
“I dare not come and drink” said Jill.
“Then you will die of thirst,” said the Lion.
“Oh dear!” said Jill coming another step nearer.
“I suppose I must go and look for another stream then.”
“There is no other stream,” said the Lion.
The story reminds me of an incident that takes place in the gospels. Jesus has just delivered a difficult message to the crowds about eating his flesh and drinking his blood. In John 6:66 it says that “From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.” Jesus then asked his twelve disciples “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” Peter and the disciples realized “There is no other stream.” There is no other alternative. There is no plan B. There in no such thing as partially following Christ or being a disciple when it is convenient. We either find our joy, our life in Him or we go thirsty. Either we trust Him totally, completely or we don’t. There is no middle ground. And yet many of us, like Jill, keep looking for another stream. We’re afraid to risk it. Trusting God with all our life seems scary. Leaping into the stream without a life jacket seems dangerous. We keep thinking maybe I can slip in, grab a bucket of water, and flee back to the safety of the woods. Maybe if I just keep working harder, or do a few more good deeds or try to do better I won't feel so guilty. Perhaps if my new job works out and I can get my bills under control, I’ll feel more secure.
The said truth is none of those “other streams,” none of those alternatives ever works. There is no other stream. One of my favorite old hymns is Elisha Huffman’s “Down at the Cross.” I especially like the last verse:
Come to the fountain so rich and sweet
Cast thy poor soul at the Savior’s feet;
Plunge in today and be made complete;
Gory to His name
What are you waiting on? You’re not going to find the answer anywhere else. Don’t keep on being thirsty. Take a leap of faith and trust in Christ. He will not fail you. Have a great week.
Pastor Barry
P.S.– Don’t forget the Mission Conference this weekend. Picnic with our missionaries Saturday evening at 5:00 P.M and at 10:45 and Sunday A.M.
“I dare not come and drink” said Jill.
“Then you will die of thirst,” said the Lion.
“Oh dear!” said Jill coming another step nearer.
“I suppose I must go and look for another stream then.”
“There is no other stream,” said the Lion.
The story reminds me of an incident that takes place in the gospels. Jesus has just delivered a difficult message to the crowds about eating his flesh and drinking his blood. In John 6:66 it says that “From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.” Jesus then asked his twelve disciples “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” Peter and the disciples realized “There is no other stream.” There is no other alternative. There is no plan B. There in no such thing as partially following Christ or being a disciple when it is convenient. We either find our joy, our life in Him or we go thirsty. Either we trust Him totally, completely or we don’t. There is no middle ground. And yet many of us, like Jill, keep looking for another stream. We’re afraid to risk it. Trusting God with all our life seems scary. Leaping into the stream without a life jacket seems dangerous. We keep thinking maybe I can slip in, grab a bucket of water, and flee back to the safety of the woods. Maybe if I just keep working harder, or do a few more good deeds or try to do better I won't feel so guilty. Perhaps if my new job works out and I can get my bills under control, I’ll feel more secure.
The said truth is none of those “other streams,” none of those alternatives ever works. There is no other stream. One of my favorite old hymns is Elisha Huffman’s “Down at the Cross.” I especially like the last verse:
Come to the fountain so rich and sweet
Cast thy poor soul at the Savior’s feet;
Plunge in today and be made complete;
Gory to His name
What are you waiting on? You’re not going to find the answer anywhere else. Don’t keep on being thirsty. Take a leap of faith and trust in Christ. He will not fail you. Have a great week.
Pastor Barry
P.S.– Don’t forget the Mission Conference this weekend. Picnic with our missionaries Saturday evening at 5:00 P.M and at 10:45 and Sunday A.M.
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