“There was a boy called Eustace Clarence Scrubb, and he almost deserved it.” So begins C.S. Lewis’ The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.
When Eustace discovers he has been turned into a dragon, he is more than dismayed. He tries to peel off the scaly skin, and he does. But he finds another skin underneath. Again he removes it, and again he finds yet another skin. How long will this go on? Yet a third time he scratches off his skin to find another underneath. Then Aslan says, “You will have to let me undress you.” Afraid of his claws, yes, but Eustace is desperate enough to let Aslan do it.
How beautifully drawn is the picture of our dilemma. We realize our dragon skin, and we are are powerless to remove it. We try, oh yes, but to no avail; we keep finding a skin underneath. Aslan says we must let Him do it. We are afraid of the claws, but we are even more desperate. Finally, we lie down and let Him do it.
It hurts. Oh heaven, it hurts. But it is cool and refreshing. We feel soft and smooth. And free. Finally free.
So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. Romans 9:16
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