Beauty Spell

(Katie) On our way to St. Lucia, James and I got to watch Delta's featured movie of the month: The Voyage of Dawn Treader from C.S Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia. The clip below was extremely powerful!

In the scene, Lucy chooses to say a magic spell that will make her become beautiful, like her older sister Susan. By reciting the spell, however,  she completely disappears as if she never existed. Lucy panics, realizing what she has done, and immediately Aslan appears by her side.

Aslan: Lucy.

Lucy: Aslan?

Aslan: What have you done child?

Lucy: I don’t know. That was awful.

Aslan: But you chose it Lucy.

Lucy: I didn’t mean to choose all of that. I just wanted to be beautiful like Susan. That’s all.
Aslan: You wished yourself away and with it much more. Your brothers and sisters wouldn’t know Narnia without you Lucy. You discovered it first, remember?

Lucy:  I’m so sorry.

Aslan: You doubt your value. Don’t run from who you are.

Powerful words.

Last night, I was invited to speak at Matters of the Heart, an event for women living in Fischer Hall, focusing on issues of sexuality and identity. It was sobering to sit in front of an audience of beautiful, talented women and be asked questions which revealed how much they doubt their value. While they looked to me, the speaker, for an answer to this remedy, all I could do was simply confess that I too am still on my own journey toward finding my security in Christ. I still struggle internally with lies that cause me to question: Am I pretty enough? Am I smart enough? Am I talented enough? Am I a good wife? Am I a good friend? Like Lucy, how often do we secretly wish that we could become like someone else in a particular area (solving our insecurities) without recognizing the severe consequences of loosing ourselves in the process?

I am also learning what it is like to encounter people who are secure in Christ. How refreshing it is and rare. A wise professor recently said to me, "the measure of true security is someone who can rejoice with you when you are rejoicing. Their ability to celebrate reveals that they know the goodness of God and the Truth that He does not withhold anything from his children. Therefore, they can truly celebrate!" Upon returning from St. Lucia, some of my best conversations about our experience have been with some of my single girlfriends or married friends that are in a busy season, struggling to find time to connect. I know my single friends desire to get married some day and I know our married friends are longing for a vacation, but that didn't stop them from taking time to ask me intentional questions. Who I am or what I've experienced doesn't threaten or diminish their sense of security. They are secure. They've inspired me to want to be someone who celebrates others well, even when they are experiencing the fulfillment of something that I am still waiting for or desiring.

As the movie clip reveals, Lucy is valiant and beautiful because of her faith in Aslan. Her courage and faith is what opened the door to Narnia. Without Lucy, her siblings would never have encountered Aslan. When Aslan reminds Lucy of this truth, the temptation is broken, and the real Lucy appears. When we are secure in Christ, not doubting our value, we unconsciously give others permission  to do the same!