Deep down Jill is a very confident person, and she tries to prove her confidence to Eustace as well as herself when she stands very near the edge of the cliff in Aslan’s Country. Her real test of character comes in the moments after when Eustace falls off the cliff and suddenly a huge lion is standing beside her. When he makes her no promise of her safety in his presence, she must learn to trust him no matter what may become of her. All her confidence seemingly fades away and in her meekness he then gives her the great responsibility of learning the signs that will help her and Eustace to find the lost prince. Such a work by God has been prevalent for many years in my life. It is by the power of God with which He uses the smallest of people to exemplify His greatness. He uses our weaknesses so we might see His glory. The journey He brings you through is, however, not accomplished effortlessly. Throughout the Chronicles the lion Aslan often gives a command and then a warning. To Jill he commands her to remember the signs and repeat them over and over again. He tells her that up in his country the air is clear and her mind is clear. Once she is in Narnia, it will not be so down there and she must hold on fast to the signs and let nothing confuse her mind. This was the warning he gave. Being in a Christian environment may make it simple to remember the Word of the Lord and be continuously encouraged by other believers. But what will happen when I leave such a Christ-centered place? Puddleglum the marshwiggle gave a reassuring word by saying that Aslan did not tell Jill what would happen, but he told her what to do. And in this comes true confidence. Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
The background is the Engstligenalp area in Adelboden, Switzerland. It is one of my favourite places. I lived in Switzerland firstly from when I was 11 to 17 years old. It was the perfect time to grow up there. One summer we visited some of our missionaries from South Africa who were staying at a chalet in Adelboden. You could see the alps and the waterfall from the balcony. We took a lift up to the top, and when we got there, we saw this wide, open plain, surrounded by the mountain peaks. There was a stream of water coming down from the melted snow. And great big boulders were scattered everywhere! It was amazing. The Swiss farmers would bring their cows and goats up there to graze. They were very friendly. As I was walking around exploring the place, all I could think of was how perfect a location it would be for The Silver Chair–this was Ettinsmoor. So when it came for me to draw myself as Jill Pole, I had to use this incredible place for the background.