ANNOUNCEMENT: Volunteer with Cradles to Crayons after church Sunday, August 23 | Click for info
"Someday you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again."
– C.S. Lewis, author
…And they lived happily ever after, the end! Fairy tales feature perfect princesses and knights in shining armor, blood-loving dragons and black-hearted villains—clear good and clear evil. We loved fairy tales as children, especially because the good guys always got the happy ending. At least in the Disney versions.
But then we grew up. And we realized our world isn’t as clear-cut as Cinderella’s world. Not everyone/everything is either Evil Stepmother or Prince Charming. People in our lives are good but sometimes selfish. Our job is good but has its moments. What has reminded you recently that you’re not living in a fairy tale? The fact that nothing is perfect in our lives can leave us feeling jaded or wary.
C.S. Lewis says invites us to grow up again and realize that, in fact, life isn’t all gray. Fairy tales can remind us that there actually is something in real life that is so wonderful, so extraordinary, so exclusively good it might even feel magical.
The parable we’ll hear on Sunday says something similar: the kingdom of God is that clear-cut good. In fact, God’s kingdom so wonderful that it is worth throwing all else away to keep. It’s not just a happy ending; it’s a life full of God-given treasure.
Jesus said, “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.”
–Matthew 13:44
For meditation:
What captures my imagination most in the world?
For prayer:
Lord Jesus, you have brought your kingdom into my heart. Help me to treasure nothing more than you. In your name, Jesus, I ask this. Amen.
