"We've already been through this before. We both know you don't have it in you."
It's what Maugrim says to Peter in the movie "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe". Maugrim is a wolf and sheriff of the witch's secret police. He is threatening Peter's sisters when Peter comes to their rescue, sword drawn. He is visibly nervous and Maugrim paces back and forth, taunting him, feeding on his fear.
"We both know you don't have it in you..."
Those words resonate with me. I hear them every day.
I heard them when I enrolled at the local community college earlier this week.
I hear them when I don't complete our homeschool lessons every day.
I hear them when I lose my patience with my children.
I hear them when I eat six cookies instead of two.
I hear them each time I fall short. And each time I take a step toward becoming more.
Aslan, the true king of Narnia, comes to Peter's aid. However, he holds back anyone from helping him. Even though he could easily tear the wolf in two with one fell swoop, he stands by. "This is Peter's battle," he says. Peter is shaken, but steadfast. Maugrim leaps at him and lands on Peter's sword. He is defeated...maybe even by accident. Peter can't believe he did it. But my favorite part happens next. Aslan makes him a knight of Narnia. Peter's entire countenance changes from one of a scared little boy to a confident young warrior. And he is...different. The change is palpable. You can see it. He sheaths his sword and you know there's about to be a serious butt-whoopin', with Peter leading the charge.
Sometimes I want to give back my sword and lay down on the ground...let the wolf tear out my heart. I don't want to do it anymore. But a little belief goes a long way. Tomorrow I will try again. I am tired and scared, but there is an untamed lion who is there beside me...who gives me his belief when my own is wavering.
"Peter, clean your sword."
6 comments:
I guess I'm going to have to see this movie. This had me in tears. I will remember that Lion today.
You put it so beautifully. I love that part in the movie.
I actually teared up at that part of the movie.
Wonderful post.
Maugrim was a liar. Peter didn't know that. The voice that whispers to you, he's a liar to. Invented it. You need to remember that. Maugrim had the very real ability to tear Peter's heart out, he wasn't powerless or fake. What Peter figured out was that as real as the wolf's power was, it was useless against one who stands with the Lion behind him. It mattered that the victory by Peter seemed almost accidental, because Peter needed to know that the most important thing was not his ability but that he chose to stand. He didn't lay down his sword he feebly pointed it as he fell. It was enough. I feel the way you feel sometimes as the onslaught of lies and fear comes rolling on. What you're post reminded me, and what I'm reminding you, is that no victory ever happens until we face and name the enemy, and draw our sword. Peter didn't stand alone, and neither do you.
I loved that part and that Too! Thanks for sharing what it meant to you and that beautiful picture!
Wow.
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