Safe to Suffer

September 13, 2024

In “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Susan asked Mr. Beaver about Aslan. Mr. Beaver assures her that Aslan will deliver Mr. Tumnus and set everything right in Narnia. She is surprised to learn that Aslan isn’t a human, but a lion; in fact, THE Lion. Now she’s nervous about meeting him, and asks if as a lion, he is safe. Mr. Beaver’s response is classic literature and good theology. “Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”

We’ve come to the end of my musings on lions in the Bible. There is more that could be said, but Mr. Beaver’s word is what is really necessary. Aslan isn’t safe. Neither is Jesus. Those who have fiercely followed him often met a grisly end, with persecutions, deprivation, exile, torture, and death. We have become accustomed to our American comfort, and often confuse ease of life with God’s blessings. No—following the Lion of the tribe of Judah isn’t safe, but he is good, and powerful, so that St. Paul can say, 

“I also suffer… nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.”                                                             —II Timothy 1:12 

He is able. Never forget that. He is able, and is good, and will not lose or forget what we’ve committed to his care. And that includes our very souls, which is why I pray for people every day with confidence.