Further Up and Further In

“I see,” she said at last, thoughtfully. “I see now. This garden is like the Stable. It is far bigger inside than it was outside.”

“Of course, Daughter of Eve,” said the Faun. “The further up and the further in you go, the bigger everything gets. The inside is larger than the outside.” – C.S. Lewis, The Last Battle

The quote above comes from the final chapter of the final book in the Chronicles of Narnia series. The characters have entered what we would call heaven, and they find a strange sense of intimacy with the place. As they look around, they recognize familiar places, such as places they know from Narnia and even their own homes in England. Yet, for all their familiarity, these places are different somehow. The hills seem larger, the flowers seem brighter, and time passes more slowly. The world is still their world, yet it is more real than it ever was before. Everywhere they look, they see a beauty and depth that is beyond their comprehension. They see “world within world, Narnia with Narnia.” No matter how far they go, there is always more ahead.

In this powerful conclusion to the Narnia series, CS Lewis illustrates what it means to be a follower of Jesus. Through Christ, we’re called into communion and fellowship with God that is infinitely exciting and glorious. Even in eternity, we will live in continual wonder at His power and majesty. Everywhere we look, we will find a million more reasons to praise Him. The further up and the further in we go, the more wonderful it will be. Read More