No need to say goodbye.

"It started out as a feeling which then grew into a hope
Which then turned into a quiet thought
Which then turned into a quiet word

And then that word grew louder and louder till it was a battle cry

I’ll come back when you call me, no need to say goodbye

Just because everything’s changing doesn’t mean it’s never been this way before
All you can do is try to know who your friends are as you head off to the war

Pick a star on the dark horizon and follow the light

You’ll come back when it’s over, no need to say goodbye
You’ll come back when it’s over, no need to say goodbye

Now we’re back to the beginning, it’s just a feeling and no one knows yet
But just because they can’t feel it too, doesn’t mean that you have to forget

Let your memories grow stronger and stronger till they’re before your eyes

You’ll come back when they call you, no need to say goodbye
You’ll come back when they call you, no need to say goodbye

---------------------------------------




I really love this scene- the lyrics to the song in particular. I'm close to crying each time I watch it, and I think it's because this song, and in a way the story of Narnia, reflects the hope that everyone on earth longs for.

"It stared out as a feeling, which than grew into a hope
Which then turned into a quiet thought
which then turned into a quiet word"

This part reminds me of Lucy. Aslan came to her quietly, by the river and in her dream, which reminded her of hope- the hope he had promised before. It came so quietly, that whisper, that some people didn't catch it.

I think sometimes God speaks to us like that, and sometimes like Peter and the others we miss it. We're waiting for some huge immediate victory that we are more inclined to be persuaded by the glamour of the White Witch and so fail to hear the whipser of Aslan (or God) - who really has already won.

"And then that word grew louder and louder, till it was a battle cry".

Wow. Aslan did come roaring in, just not how they expected it...and how much more victorious it was than when they trusted in themselves to win.

At first I was confused by Aslan, when he kept saying, "Things never happen the same way twice". I thought to myself, "Is that his excuse for all those Narnians being killed? He didn't want to things the same way twice?"

But then I realized he was right...in a way. Things won't happen the same way twice- like him rushing in and saving the day from the very begining.

But there is one thing that always happens the same way- more than twice. That is God's love. And sovereignty. This next line really reflects that I think:

"Just because everything's changing doesn't mean it's never been this way before".

Yes, things are changing. But God is not- not his love or his promises.

"Pick a star on the dark horizon and follow the light
You'll come back when it's over, no need to say goodbye. You'll come back when it's over."

Christ will return- victoriously. And he is the light on the dark horizon.

"Now we're back to the beginning, it's just a feeling and no one knows yet. But just because they can't feel it too, doesn't mean that you have to forget."

Sometimes we seem to be "back at the begining", maybe we don't feel all the close to God as we used to. Maybe it seems like he isn't there.

But he is. And just because we may not "feel it", doesn't mean he isn't there. After all, his love for us is not based on how we feel at a certain moment, it's based on who we are in Christ.

"Let your memories grow stronger and stronger,
till they're before your eyes"

We do have a hope that is certain, and it's found in Christ. Let them constantly be in our minds till they grow so strong they are before our eyes- so vivid that we can be filled with peace, because we know that God is in control.

And you know what's cool? God is so much more amazing than Aslan. His promises are so much broader, so much more beautiful. He didn't just die for one boy but for all the boys and girls and men and women that betrayed him. Like me. And you.

That's why I love this scene, I think. It sings of hope, and it makes me long even more for when Christ will return.

He'll come back, when it's over....no need to say goodbye.

Because in the big story of the world, there is a light at the end. There is a hope to cling to. Maybe that's what Sam Gamgee (or Tolkien) meant when he said,

"It’s like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered, full of darkness and danger they were. Sometimes you didn’t want to know the end, because how could the end be happy. How could the world go back to the way it was when there’s so much bad that had happened? But in the end it’s only a passing thing, this shadow; even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines, it will shine out the clearer. Those were the stories that stayed with you. That meant something, even if you were too small to understand why."

I want to be like Sam. Even when the world seems to be crashing down around him, he remembers that there is a hope to cling to- that things will get better. That's the hope I see in Lucy's eyes as she looks back at the train station- she doesn't see him, but she can smile. She remembers the promise in his eyes, and she knows he'll call her back.


No need to say goodbye.

After some thinking.....

I've made a few decisions.

Decision #1: declining a position at the Cookie Shop.
Decision #2: deciding not to take a class at Wake Tech.
Decision #3: Decided to write this blog post.


There are so many good things in this world, so many fantastic opportunities, that it's quite hard to know what is actually best. I realized that right now my passion is art, and taking a class or a job would take time away from that passion, as well as from music and reading and gardening....and I think I take my time for granted.

Decision #4: To be intentionally and decidedly productive.

I've decided that since I'm not actually going to school, I'm still going to study diligently. Primarily in art, but I am also going to make a list of a few books to read. Particulartly on theology or biographies, but I also want to study the book of Collosians, reading through it and hearing what others have to say on it, and altogether soaking it in. If you want to read it with me, please do so! We can blog about it.

I also want to spend more time with friends. In October, I am leaving the country. For good. Just kidding....but it's for a year, which is "for good" for awhile! So I really want to build up my connections here at home this summer and the few months I have in fall. Why? Because I love my friends, but I also want to have a strong prayer team for me when I leave. There will be lots of suprises and difficulties when I get there, and your support will be invaluable!! Seriously. I'm going to miss everybody, but I'll definately be blogging from the Old City!

Another thing I'm determined to do this summer is blog more regularly. I know you don't believe me, but really, you should. :)

So now I'll leave you with some beautiful words written by Anne Steel. It's a song redone by Jars of Clay that I listened to while jogging the other day, and it really helps me to refocus. Sometimes I get so cauught up with my own plans here on earth, that I get discouraged...but God has a bigger plan, and it definately involves grace! When I remember his promises, what Christ accomplished for me at the cross, than to him "I breathe my souls desires", and I know he's got it under control.

JESUS, I LIFT MY EYES
traditional words by Anne Steele (alt. by Jars of Clay)/music by Jars of Clay

When sins and fears prevailing rise
And fainting hope almost expires
Jesus to Thee I lift my eyes
To Thee I breathe my soul's desires

Are You not mine, my living Lord
And can my hope, my comfort die
Fixed on the everlasting word
That word which built the earth and sky

Jesus, I lift my eyes
To Thee I breathe my soul's desires
Jesus, I lift my eyes
To Thee I lift my eyes

Here let my faith unshaken dwell
Immovable the promise stands
Not all the powers of earth or hell
Can e'er dissolve the sacred bands

Jesus to Thee I lift my eyes
Jesus, I lift my eyes
To Thee I breathe my soul's desires
Jesus, I lift my eyes
To Thee I lift my eyes

Here oh my soul
Thy trust repose
If Jesus is forever mine
Not death itself that last of foes
Can break a union so divine

Jesus, I lift my eyes
To Thee I breathe my soul's desires
Jesus, I lift my eyes
To Thee I breathe my soul's desires

"It’s like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered, full of darkness and danger they were. Sometimes you didn’t want to know the end, because how could the end be happy. How could the world go back to the way it was when there’s so much bad that had happened? But in the end it’s only a passing thing, this shadow; even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines, it will shine out the clearer. Those were the stories that stayed with you. That meant something, even if you were too small to understand why."

-Samwise Gamgee