Where are you, Aslan?

Took the family to see the "Prince Caspian" movie yesterday afternoon. The story follows Peter, Edmund, Susan, and Lucy as they are called back to Narnia for another adventure, only it has been 1300 years since they left as Kings and Queens. In those 1300 years, Narnia has undergone terrible changes. A race of men (the Calormenes) has dominated the land, and has tried to exterminate the Narnians. Prince Caspian is forced to flee his rightful Kingdom due to treachery and threats on his life, and he flees to the land of Narnia with a magical horn (which had belonged to Susan 1300 years earlier) with which he summons the 4 English children back to Narnia.

Throughout the story the big question that hangs over every scene is: "Where is Aslan?" He hasn't appeared in many generations. He didn't seem to do anything to stop the slaughter of the Narnians. And he doesn't seem to be very interested in helping save the day as the exiled Prince Caspian tries to free the remaining Narnians and bring peace to the land.

The only one who claims to have seen him is Lucy (the youngest child) and she only caught a glimpse of him on the other side of a ravine. She claims he wanted them to follow him, but no one is willing to step out into thin air toward the supposed call of Aslan.

Not until many battles have been fought (and lost) and much blood shed, does Peter finally send Lucy and Susan out to find Aslan. Peter realizes that what they really need is Aslan- it is desperate without his help. But in the meantime, someone has to fight off the enemy. So the battle rages, teetering on the edge of disaster, until finally Lucy, alone in the forests of Narnia, finally comes upon Aslan (or Aslan appears to her). His roar awakens the deep magic of Narnia, and the battle ultimately turns in favor of the Narnians. Peace returns to the land, finally.

It's a great story, but it sure reminds me of how often God seems to have vacated our world. Sure we hear stories of people generations ago who walked and talked with Him, and saw miraculous signs, but what about now? What about during the crusades? During the holocaust? During the innumerable wars that have been fought and continue to rage today? Does He care? Where is he?

If C.S. Lewis' story has anything to suggest, perhaps God has allowed humankind to push him to the margins of our world, and he is content to stay there until he is earnestly sought after. Perhaps he is waiting for people who, like Lucy, will put everything aside and seek Him. Perhaps he is waiting to reveal himself to people who realize their only hope is in His help, and who are willing to wait for his revealing.

Perhaps.