I took my Journey of Faith Activities kids (confirmation class as it is known other places) to see "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" last night. I had seen the film on my own a couple of weeks ago. As I viewed the movie again, I especially was watching Edmond. Edmond is the betrayer, for whom Aslan must die to redeem.
From the very beginning Edmond is disconnected from the rest of his family. He disobeys his mother at the risk of his and Peter's life. When his mother tries to kiss him goodbye, he is obviously displeased. Once in Narnia, Edmond always hangs back. While Peter, Susan, and Lucy cling to one another for comfort and support, Edmond stays in the background by himself. Eventually, he completely abandons his siblings and seeks out the evil White Witch. The anguish felt by Peter, Susan and Lucy is enormous and they will not stop until they have him back. It is only through the intervention of Aslan that he is reunited with them.
Edmond reminds me of church members who believe they don't need the church. They separate themselves from the family of God and fail to look to other believers for support and encouragement. If these individuals stay away long enough, they will inevitably abandon their sisters and brothers completely.
In the United Methodist Church and other places too I'm sure, there are a host of Edmonds. On most any given Sunday, only about 40% of those who claim membership within the UMC actually gather with their "family" to worship. However, I don't see nor truly do I feel a great deal of anguish because of this. It's a whole lot easier to simply wash our hands of them and leave them to whatever end may come. And while that saddens me and feels very wrong, I don't have inclination to do anything about it nor do I see it in any other people. Something is missing and it seems to me that only through the intervention of the Son of the King will there be a change of heart and a reuniting.
Comments