In his book “Voyage of the Dawn Treader,” C.S. Lewis recounts the story of Lucy Pevensie and Reepicheep (a valiant mouse) playing chess aboard the deck of the ship:
“When he remembered what he was doing he usually won. But every now and then Lucy won because the Mouse did something quite ridiculous like sending a knight into the danger of a queen and castle combined. This happened because he had momentarily forgotten it was a game of chess and was thinking of a real battle and making the knight do what he would certainly have done in its place.”
I am very much like Reepicheep. I know that there is a higher vision for my life and that I am part of a bigger story. But when I get caught up in day-to-day activities, my haste causes me to momentarily forget and I jump to the assumption that “I know what to do”. These moments are humble reminders that my perspective is limited and I should not be the one calling the shots.
God has included his children in his ongoing work of redemption to reconcile the world back to him (II Corinthians 5:17-21). He has elegantly bestowed on us the titles “kings and priests” (Revelation 5:10), and so long as we are mindful of the real King, we can serve in these roles wonderfully. But when humility eludes us and we try to play God’s role, we usurp his throne! There is a thin line between following the Holy Spirit and jumping to our own conclusions. The difference is quite often haste. Our snap judgments often come from pride and invite folly. During this season in the holiday whirlwind of pageants and parties, slow down before making your next move. Take some time each day to reflect on and humbly worship our perfect example: The King who rules over all of us little kings.
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.1
About the Author
Philippians 2:6-11 ↩
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