“And instead of the deadly silence the whole place rang with the sound of happy roarings, brayings, yelpings, barkings, squealings, cooings, neighings, stampings, shouts, hurrahs, songs and laughter.”
C.S. Lewis, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,
[This was when Aslan visits and sets free the stone statues from a evil spell]
The storyline is simple yet intriguing; a stone statue suddenly comes to life. I had the chance to visit the Westminster Abbey in London, UK. I was astonished at statues where the detail is such that their veins can be seen under the stone skin. The folds of their robes are carved with such skill that they are almost translucent. A sculptor takes a large block of marble rock and transforms it into a beautiful and delicate work of art. It brought me to tears, as I stood staring with wonder.
I think that Lewis’ children’s story is pretty much of what you can expect if an entire museum of statues all of a sudden turn into real ‘flesh-and-blood.’ Can you imagine seeing a stone lion suddenly lifting its paws to inspect them? He roars for the very first time, testing his vocal cords. He suddenly pounces and chases his tail. His massive body stretches and he quivers with joy. He is alive! In the same way, the spiritual steps we take transform us, turning us from mere physical beings into spiritual.
As a person who must process clinical depression almost everyday, it’s good when now and then to think of the craziness, the chaos, and wonderfulness that suddenly surrounded me when God filled me with his Holy Spirit. The transformation from stone to flesh is just like the change from mere flesh into spirit.
We are new men and new women, coming to life, suddenly cavorting around, jumping about, a brand new creation! Gratitude swells the heart, tears stream down your face. After centuries of standing stock-still, with pigeons perched on your head. You would be able to move, and jump and leap. The power found in such a miracle, has changes you. Not unlike fallen flesh when it becomes spiritually alive.
I find when I’m depressed I experience temporary amnesia, I forget what tremendous things I’ve experienced the moment I first believed. When I come into God’s presence, I should try to acknowledge what exactly has taken place to me. It ‘s as radical as being turned from rock into flesh. The statue has become alive. A miracle has happened! The introduction of joy into my depression is exactly what I need. As a Christian I have been made alive!
“And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!”
ybic, Bryan
Broken Believers 