“The Chronicles of Narnia,” CS Lewis’ allegorical explanation of our life in this world, follows the adventures of four children, Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy Pevensie.  These four children “accidentally” discover a magical world, the Kingdom of Narnia, and a host of amazing people and creatures who are all laboring under a spell of evil.  As they explore deeper into Narnia, they find that they are royalty in this strange kingdom, a discovery made as they navigate through difficulty, danger, and disaster with the help of Aslan, the Great Lion.  One of the ongoing themes in the stories of Narnia is how ordinary beings come into contact with Aslan, experience great adventure and danger, discover their own vital and honorable callings, and are given prominent roles or positions in the restoration of kingdoms.  This is true not only the four siblings, Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy, but Eustace, Caspian, Cor, the Beavers, the Faun, and a great number of others.

These most famous of children’s stories – which are at least as popular with adults as with children – touch us in a place deep within ourselves.  Why?  Because these stories tell of the created purpose we have as children of our God and King and heirs of His kingdom. We resonate with these stories because they touch us where it matters the most – our sense of calling and purpose as created beings.  The stories reflect what our God intends for each of our individual stories as well.  Down deep, we somehow know we are here for a greater purpose than to collect stuff, pay bills, and watch Netflix until we die.

That we have this calling to something much greater and grander than ourselves is a theme in the Bible as well. Check out Romans 8:14-17: For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.  For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba! Father!”  it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.”

As children of God, heirs of His kingdom, and fellow heirs with Jesus His Son, we could not be elevated to a loftier position.  We could not be given a higher rank or identity, nor could we be called to a more honorable or noble purpose.  In one movement of grace, mercy and love, God sweeps aside our former predicament of being enemies at odds with Him, and places us in the most favorable position possible.

Define life by collect stuff, paying bills, and watching Netflix until I die, or find my destiny as an heir of the Kingdom of God?  Easy choice for me.