Thoughts on God’s Ways from C.S. Lewis

I have read the Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis many times, and I can now see much more symbolism and depth than I did before.

Two parts stuck out to me from ‘The Horse and His Boy’ when I read it recently, and made me think about the way God works sometimes.

When Shasta, the hero of the story, just managed to get to Archenland to tell them of the enemy that was about to attack, he was given another message that he had to run immediately to give.

Shasta’s heart fainted at these words for he felt he had no strength left. And he writhed inside at what seemed the cruelty and unfairness of the demand. He had not yet learned that if you do one good deed your reward usually is to be set to do another and harder and better one.’

In the parable of the talents, each of the stewards are given a certain number of talents and the ones who use them wisely are rewarded with more. In the same way if we do one job well that God has given us, we might well be rewarded with a harder job!

On the face of it, it seems a bit strange. But the ultimate reward of doing a harder job is greater and it gives us the opportunity to grow in our faith, so it does make sense.



The other comes shortly after in the story, where Aravis, Shasta’s fellow traveller, has her wounds from the scratches of a lion dressed by the Hermit. He says,

‘”It must have been a very strange lion; for instead of catching you out of the saddle and getting his teeth into you, he has only drawn his claws across your back. Ten scratches: sore, but not deep or dangerous.”

“I say!” said Aravis. “I have had luck.”

“Daughter,” said the Hermit, “I have now lived a hundred and nine winters in this world and have never yet any such thing as luck. There is something about all this that I do not understand; but if ever we need to know it, you may be sure that we shall.”

And he was right, because later Aslan, the great Lion, talks to Aravis and tells her that he was the one who gave her those scratches, and they were wound for wound, the same as her servant had after she was whipped for being drugged by Aravis.

There is something deep in here which we often struggle to come to terms with – that God loves us, and in that love He also disciplines us. ‘My son do not despise the Lord’s discipline, nor be weary of His reproof. For whom the Lord loves He chastens, just as a father the son in whom he delights.’ Prov 3:12

But that doesn’t mean that bad things that happen to us are God’s discipline either, because there are all kinds of other reasons why God lets things happen – some of which we may never know while we live on the earth.

What happens to us, whether good or bad, is not luck or coincidence, but God’s providence. And we can’t be harmed without Him allowing it. We may not understand it at the time, but we can be sure that if we love the Lord He will work it all out for our good.

I like what the Hermit said, that there is no such thing as luck. And I think it is good to be open to the possibility that God might be testing us, or giving us harder jobs to do, or disciplining us. Then we might be more inclined to respond well rather than sinking into despondency and self pity.

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8 Responses

  1. We may not understand it at the time, but we can be sure that if we love the Lord He will work it all out for our good….. This is a great statement and a promise to live by! Romans 8:28 We have to trust Him!

  2. Hello from across the border in Scotland!

    This is an excellent post. Please consider sharing this post with the Scripture Sunday Link Up.

    Like yourself, I don’t believe in luck – good or bad!

    Nothing which happens in our lives has not had God’s approval first.

  3. MrsP says:

    I don’t know how we can say we believe that God is God and not allow Him to do what only God can do–be God. He is, more than anything else, sovereign. Nothing in the world or to us happens that He does not either will or allow. Period. Our job, as He so clearly instructs, is to trust and believe Him and I, for one, am glad.
    Visiting from Spiritual Sunday.

  4. caryjo says:

    My husband has been a C.S. Lewis fan for many MANY years. I have read much of it, now, and understand the focus, but don’t always get the gist. However, what you were saying about the claw marks on the girl’s back has stuck in my head for many years. Through all the books, God was faithful.. can’t be better than that.

  5. Bonnie Way says:

    It’s been a long time since I read the Narnia Chronicles, but The Horse and His Boy is one of my favourite books. Thanks for sharing these lessons! 🙂

  6. There are such words of life here, Rhoda. Thanks for sharing them.

    I’m just re-reading Henri Nouwen’s ‘The Return of the Prodigal Son’ and it is full of similar and related truths.

    We have the freedom to choose to live in the place of love and blessing… or not. And it’s so easy to see correction and challenge as a lack of love.

    Yet it’s not! If we are to believe anything it must be that Papa is good and loves us deeply in and through all of life. Praise him!

  7. Charlotte says:

    Good thoughts. I’ve just about quit using the term “lucky” in the past few years. Every time I start to use it, I catch myself and change it. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this important subject.
    Blessings,
    Charlotte

  8. Rhoda says:

    Thank you everyone who commented.

    Wendy thanks for sharing about your link up, it’s great to find another UK blogger!

    Caryjo, yes God is faithful is a great message to take from those books!

    Chris, yes to believe God is good and loves us is so important! I love the way C.S. Lewis makes Aslan one to be feared yet also loved, and how he is such a great picture in a small way of what God is like!