Amy H: A Reflection and Testimony upon Greed in my Life

Amy H---- Website Director

Hey guys, it’s Amy here.

Throughout this journey of investigating The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe and finding the different clues of greed scattered throughout the various chapters, I have come to a realization about greed both within my life and how it has played an impact on me as well as just how crucial the message C.S. Lewis is desperately trying to send to us. To begin with, as you have seen by now, greed is something that follows almost every character in this fantasy novel like a dark shadow. From the obvious cases of people descending into greed such as the White Witch, her dwarf minion and all of the nefarious animals to the less obvious ones such as the Beavers and Lucy, it is almost as if greed is like quicksand, pulling down everything it can possibly reach into its trap of suffering and envy. Additionally, I believe that C.S. Lewis intended this to be a message for all of us in the world as well. No matter how good or strong we are, all of us will at some point give into the desires that constantly urge us on, beckoning us. Whether it be harmless ones such as taking the last pizza when no one is looking or more dangerous ones such as stealing, greed always has its claw grasped into the unsuspecting backs of humanity. After all, would we be human without the appealing decision to do what we want and not care about anything or anyone else?

As I am a human, I have on more than one occasion slipped up and started sliding down the slippery slope of bad decisions based on greed. One of my greatest slip-ups that I pulled back from about greed began when I was around 6. As I am an only child, oftentimes I would get stuck being alone and bored without anything to really do. Because of this, I would often feel like my small family of 3 was really just me sometimes. Sure, I had extended family and great friends, but I often felt like I was missing out on something. This feeling, although subsiding slowly as I grew older always stuck with me and at times I would feel sorry for myself.

However, this opinion was turned completely upside down after I went to an overnight Christian summer camp. At this camp, I realized just how blessed I really was. I had two incredible, loving parents who would not only send me letters everyday but would be overjoyed when I came home, in fact a lot more than I was. With this newfound appreciation for what I had, I also had the somber realization of how unlucky some people were. A friend of mine, a bit earlier in the year, who had lived with just her mother and grandfather was going through one of the most difficult times of her life. Her mother had passed away and she was left with only her grandfather as her family. After learning of this, I was aghast and shocked. It was a shocking jolt to reality of just how selfish I had been. When I was feeling bad for myself and pouting about absolutely nothing, she was going through deep clouds of pain and darkness.

This realization really helped put me in my place and understand how to appreciate what I have over what I do not have. And just like Edmund, I resolved to no longer give in to the green-eyed monster of greed and self pity but instead love and care about what I did have. God had sent me a message as clear as day and I knew that it was one that I should listen to. A verse that I believe sums up this experience perfectly is Isaiah 41:10. “ So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” God took me and supported me, gently scolding me just like he did Lucy when she started succumbing to greed as well. And from this experience I now see life with a new light.

The picture above is one that I took while kayaking. As I stated earlier, greed is like quicksand. It takes us slowly downwards. As almost every character in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and the world have felt, we are a greedy species. However, there is one character in The Lion, the Witch, and The Wardrobe that never once succumbed to greed or selfishness but instead gave up his life for Edmund. This character is Aslan, or C.S. Lewis' interpretation of God. Jesus, just like Aslan gave his life up for us and can take us through any difficulty we face.

Thanks for reading my story and my experiences with greed!

Amy H