The Miraculous Aslan Painting
When we are in the midst of trials and suffering, it is vital we speak the truth to our souls. On Thursday, March 4th, 2010, I’m on Midday Connection (you can listen live or to “past programs” beginning March 5th using the link on my homepage talking about this. This program includes an interview about heaven with Sara Groves, and we listen to great songs, including Be Still My Soul. I memorized this great hymn and sang it to my soul every night for a year or so after I had let go of the lie that Steve wasn’t coming back. We’re going to divide the truths of this song into three parts, having to do with God’s heart, God’s history, and God’s heaven. We’ll begin on this post with God’s heart.
How do we know that God is for us when we are facing enormous pain? In The God of All Comfort, and on Midday, I tell how the Lord spoke to us through my daughter Sally’s miraculous Aslan painting. There is a famous scene in The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe when the children discover that Aslan (a Christ figure) is not a man, but a lion. They ask,
“But if he’s a lion — can he be quite safe?”
Mr. Beaver says, “Safe! Whoever said anything about Aslan being safe? Don’t you know who he is? He is the son of the emperor beyond the sea — he’s the great lion. Of course he’s not safe. But he’s good.”
Watch the video on this post and Sally will tell you how God spoke to her that even though many times God allows suffering in our lives, we can still know, that his heart is for us.
I am so blessed to have the original of this painting — it is five feet tall and four feet wide — and hangs in my living room, bringing me comfort. Sally completed it just days before Steve was diagnosed with cancer.
Here are questions to ponder:
1. Comment on the video and what happened.
2. Meditate on the passage Sally quoted in Revelation 5:5-6. What does this passage say? What symbolism do you see in each animal described as far as knowing the character of God?
3. Write out and memorize the first verse of Be Still My Soul. What do you learn about God’s heart for you? Can you find scriptural parallels to the truth in these verses?
4. Do a little homework on the history of Be Still My Soul. It also is a hymn that became linked with Eric Liddell, who’s story was made famous by Chariots of Fire. He became a missionary after that and died of a brain tumor in a concentration camp. See if you can find out some ways Be Still My Soul was linked with him.
5. How does the music compliment the lyrics in Be Still My Soul? As you listen to it, learn it, sing it to yourself — what impact does it have on you in your present circumstances?
6. Why do you think the enemy wants us to believe that God is not for us? Has the enemy gotten to you?
7. Listen to Midday. What stood out to you?
Lord, I pray for those listening to Midday, for those doing this study, for your children in pain, that You will show them Your heart, that You will defeat the enemy’s lie that You do not love them. Help us press into You and experience You. I ask this in Your name.