Jamin Bradley

“I expect most witches are like that. They are not interested in things or people unless they can use them; they are terribly practical.”

C.S. Lewis, The Magician’s Nephew, 76.

Yahweh spins a very different narrative in his creation story than the other gods spin in theirs. The gods say that humans are petty and were made to give them food, drink, and housing. Yahweh says that humans are powerful and were made in his image to work alongside him to bring heaven to earth.

Different humans spin very different narratives of our personhood. Some treat us as though we have no purpose other than to serve them. They use us—or ab-use us—robbing us of our agency as though our sole purpose in existing is to make their dreams come true. Others view us as though we are the image of Yahweh himself, treating us with love, respect, and care.

We can experience the “terribly practical” dynamics of the White Witch of Narnia in all spaces of life. We can be used by politicians, bosses, businesses, churches, partners, friends, influencers, and so on. In the same way that faceless organizations shallowly say they “care about us,” we can often sense when someone else is treating us the same.

Jesus teaches us a different way. People weren’t made to be used—they were made to be partnered with. It’s not about what others can do for us—it’s about what we can do for them. While we don’t stay in abusive situations, we find a way forward where hatred can’t use us either, lest we become the very witch we protest.

Whoever told you that you were useless or good-for-nothing lied to you. Whoever made you feel like you had no value unless you did something for them was wrong. You were designed in the good image of Yahweh by an all-loving God who desires your existence. You are inherently valuable, and you can’t be anything less. All lesser beliefs belong with witches.