In these next two chapters we start to learn a little bit more about the adventure that awaits our characters. There are two more personalities to introduce you to:
Mrs. Which never seems to be able to fully materialize wherever they are, but the one time she does, it is as a witch on a broomstick, to the great amusement of Mrs. Whatsit and Mrs. Who. She seems to be the head of their trio, the wisest and most experienced and most solemn of them all, though she is not as affectionate with the children as Mrs. Whatsit is.
The Black Thing is the enemy in this story. It is also referred to as the Darkness or the shadow. The Black Thing will have even more names as we go through the story. The Black Thing represents evil at work in the universe. More to come later on The Black Thing.
In Chapter 3 as we get to know Meg more we see that she is almost obsessed with appearances. She does not understand that superficial differences really don’t matter. Calvin is a complicated character who respects and likes his own differences, but still hides them in order to fit in. Meg has a difficult time understanding that Calvin could be someone other than the person he appears to be. When have you been a bit judgmental about someone that you met? Did you treat them differently after you found out who they really were? How did Jesus treat people? As Christians, what are we supposed to do with other people?
As Meg continues through this chapter she really struggles with who people are, compared to their appearance. We have these same tendencies as humans. We repeat the same behavior over and over again. We must practice each and every day so that we can become more Christ-like. What spiritual disciplines do you practice daily that help you to be more like Christ? How do you spend your time strengthening your relationship with God? These practices help us to share the love that God gives us with others. God’s love overflows from us and spreads to the people that we meet.
Chapter 4 shares the first specific reference to our Christian faith.
Sing unto the Lord a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof. Let the wilderness and the cities thereof lift their voice; let the inhabitants of the rock sing, let them shout from the top of the mountains. Let them give glory unto the Lord!
Isaiah 42:10 & 11
This is one of the few moments of true beauty in the whole book. To see creatures like Mrs. Whatsit shown as truly good and joy bringing beings cements Meg’s understanding that her initial impression based on Mrs. Whatsit’s appearance was completely wrong. While the story is not specifically Christian, it has common themes with Christianity. For one, characters are blessed with love for respecting and embracing things that cannot be known or understood. Meg has to learn to be humble before that which is greater and more powerful than she; this is a very Christian journey. In addition, the supreme power of love is perhaps, the most important theme of the New Testament. The most beautiful and joyful moment of the book is one that becomes explicitly Biblical. What blessings do you thank God for? What great love have you experienced in your relationship with God?
Once I was told that the Bible is the greatest love letter that was ever written. What is your favorite part of the New Testament that expresses love? Which story or stories speak to you and truly illustrate God’s love for you? How do you share that love?
As we continue our journey with the Murry family, keep in mind how love carries them through. How does God’s love sustain you in your daily life?
I’m not a fan of ending this entry with the negative thoughts that come when thinking about The Black Thing, but we must take a look at the characters first experience with watching the evil shadow. The shadow is entirely immaterial. A shadow has no essence. It is only appearance, and the book asks us many times to distrust appearances. The power of the shadow is frightening. This idea of evil must be confronted! In your prayer life, what are you specifically praying about that needs to be confronted?
See you next week!