I began reading this
trilogy to determine whether or not I wanted to get it for my
granddaughter. It has proven to be an interesting
read with many spiritual applications similar to those found in the stories of
Narnia by C. S. Lewis. I thought the
following section particularly thought provoking.
“Yes, perhaps we are
mistaken. It is possible we have misread the signs. But whether you are the one
or not does not matter very much.”
Quentin cocked his head
sharply; he had not expected the hermit to say that. “No,” Durwin continued. “What
does matter is whether you are willing to follow the Most High, even in your
unbelief.”
“I— I do not know what
you mean.”
“Certainly you do. All
your life you have served the gods in one way or another. Of the old gods you
soon learned only to demand those things which they were capable of providing—
an insignificant sign or two, a small favor vaguely asked. Then you met Whist
Orren, the Most High God, the One True God of All. You have served him
faithfully these many years and have learned much about his ways. But now is
the first time you have ever really had to trust in him, to place yourself
totally in his will, and you are afraid.”
Quentin started to
object, but Durwin held up his hands. “Yes, afraid. You must now put your faith
to the test. And such a test! With lost mines and flaming swords and prophecies
fulfilled.”
“Why should I fear that?”
“The reason is not so
hard to guess. It is the same with every man. You fear testing your faith,
because it means testing the Most High. Deep in your heart you fear he will
fail. If he fails, you are utterly alone in this life and beyond; there is
nothing you can believe in anymore.”
Quentin shook his head.
“No, Durwin. That is not my fear.”
“Tell me, then.”
Quentin drew a deep
breath, glanced at the hermit and then quickly away again. “I am afraid of
being the priest king. I cannot say why, but the mere mention of swords and
mines fills me with dread. Look at my arm! How can I wield the Shining One with
an arm as dead as firewood?” “
It is the same thing in
the end, is it not? You fear to accept something the Most High has chosen for you.”
“How is that the same
thing?”
“Most assuredly it is. To
accept the crown of priest king would mean placing your trust totally in the
Most High. It means that you must trust him to know what is best for you, to
know you better than you know yourself. It would mean trusting him beyond all
trust, even when the way is unclear— especially when the way is unclear.
“When you trust like
that, you necessarily test the god’s ability to keep you. You are— we all are—
unwilling to make such demands of our gods. If we trust but little, we will be
disappointed but little, eh?”
“If I do not believe, but
follow anyway, does that not mock the Most High and defeat his will?”
“On the contrary, my
friend. To follow without seeing the end— in unbelief, as you say— is really
the highest form of trust.”
“It is but blind trust,”
objected Quentin. The words of the hermit made sense to him, but he still felt
as if he must fight acceptance.
“Not blind trust. Not at
all. Those who trust the powerless gods of earth and sky— they trust blindly.
“Quentin, look at me,”
the hermit commanded gently. “You cannot serve the Most High without trusting
him totally, for there always comes a time when he will put you to the test. He
will have all of you or nothing at all. There can be no middle ground. It is a
demand that he makes of his followers.”
Lawhead, Stephen R.
(2014-07-08). The Dragon King Collection: In the Hall of the Dragon King, The
Warlords of Nin, and The Sword and the Flame (The Dragon King Trilogy) (Kindle
Locations 10512-10530). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.
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