I recently reread The Magician’s Nephew, the first story of The Chronicles of Narnia, by C.S. Lewis. From time to time I really enjoy reading fiction and C.S. Lewis has the uncanny ability to take me to the places he’s created in the Chronicles of Narnia through his creative wordsmithing and guided imagery. In The Magician’s Nephew we’re introduced to a new world, Narnia, and we have the privilege of catching a glimpse of the creation account as it was spoken from the creator and benevolent king, Aslan.

One of the great features of Lewis’ Chronicles is they’re each quick reads, but they’re saturated with good storytelling. I was so captivated by the story in The Magician’s Nephew that I did the majority of my reading in two days. I’d like to think it was like having two cups of coffee with C.S. Lewis, hearing the magnificent story and considering the meaning. Storytelling can be an excellent way to teach or convey principles. Lewis is undoubtedly amongst the great storytellers.

The Magician’s Newphew addresses different kinds of people and forces in this world – there are both wise and foolish people and there are forces of both good and evil. As the story moves towards its climax, the narrator pauses to remind us, “For what you see and what you hear depends a good deal on where you are standing: it also depends on what sort of person you are.” That’s a good word whether you’re in Narnia or not!

That also begs the question, as Christ-followers, what should dictate our vantage point as we look at our own lives as well as the world we’re in, and what should determine the type of people that we are? How would you answer?