Poignant Fantasy

To me, fantasy stories can pack so much more of a punch than ordinary novels. For example, one of my favorite scenes in the first LOTR movie (The Fellowship of the Ring), is when Gandalf stands "in the gap" between his fleeing friends and the balrog. He declares that he is the keeper of the secret flame, which Tolkien said was the Holy Spirit. What a powerful picture of what believers are capable of...warding off incredibly powerful demons through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Another of my favorite fantasy scenes is toward the end of the first Narnia movie (The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe). At the very end of the battle, Peter looks up to see Aslan having just killed the White Witch. All else around him is a blur...all he sees is Aslan. He stands in awe at the realization that the Great Lion has risen from the dead and defeated the Evil One. I get misty every time I see it.

I don't think any other medium but fantasy can so touch our hearts, leaving us so marvelously in awe at what has been done for us. Jesus has risen from the dead. He has defeated the Evil One. All else fades from importance at this one realization.

Glory!