Whenever reading a good novel, I find myself fully absorbed in the protagonist's life. Even weeks after finishing it I ponder over what it would be like to be in such a world, and I also feel a sense of being apart of it as I go about daily life, thinking about what that main character would do in that situation…Weird huh? Well I think this is an experience that most of us book readers have as we explore the life of an imaginary soul, even if our experiences are different.
Having just read the Veronica Roth series: Divergent, Insurgent and Allegiant, as well as the prequel (Four), I found myself distracted by the dystopia that Tris Prior experienced. Immersing myself in the life of a young woman discovering herself whilst fighting for what she believed to be true, caused me to ponder. I didn't simply ponder over the fictional character of Tris, instead, I found myself coming to a realisation (shall we say) about the world we live in, as well as a sense of 'self discovery' (corny I know)...
The 'at first' seemingly functional world that Tris lives in, which ultimately crumbles, caused me to re-recognise the issues and cavities that our current world effectively tries to hide.
The brilliant idea of 5 factions, being Dauntless, Amity, Candor, Abnegation and Euridite, that hold their own values, enabled me to reflect on our current society. I mean to say that society forces us to act, look, believe and feel a certain way. This is evident in the way that our society poses what they believe beauty, success and happiness (for example) to look like. As well as what lack of beauty, little success and unhappiness look like. I feel as though our world is currently fuelling us with utter crap! Instead of telling me that I need to look a certain way, or make my way down a money making path, or try and find happiness by pleasing myself, shouldn't I be driven and taught to live a life with a kind and servant heart, doing what is right (not necessarily what has the highest salary) and looking to what truly brings joy? Note that I didn't use happiness in the previous sentence! Joy is a word misused so often, yet it has so much more substance than the word; happiness.
To be joyful means to (in a biblical sense) be glad and rejoice in the Lord, for he is a God who brings life. It also means being 'joyful' in your salvation. Being saved through Christ is the only way to be truly joyful.
So why the Divergent reference I here you asking? Well, it was Tris' story that caused me to ponder over what is worth fighting for in the world 'I' live in. Thus, I've come to the conclusion that the message of Jesus is what is truly and utterly worth fighting for. Even though being in the army of God poses challenges and threats day in and day out, I will fight for this one truth. The truth that Christ did indeed sacrifice himself for all those who are lost, but also conquered death, ultimately bringing life.
I find Luke chapter 21, specifically verse 19 which states: "By standing firm you will gain life" an encouragement. It was my brother that introduced me to this hope giving verse a few years ago. I find that this verse exemplifies the point of life. Stand firm in the Lord and you will not perish, instead, you shall find true life in him. Physical beauty, earthly success, or self-gratifying happiness won't produce life, but a relationship with Christ will!
So, inevitably my point about our world's lies is that beauty, success and self satisfying happiness can't give you life, but Christ can! So don't try and discover yourself in a world full of lies and dead ends, instead pick up that dust covered Gideons bible and flick to one of the gospels to find out more about this Jesus guy (aka the J-dog)!
Also on a side note: always read! It broadens your vocabulary! And you never know, you may even discover something new, just as I have…..
And to your left is my dog Maggie and myself re-enacting the famous 'Twilight' meadow scene: aka Edward and Bella lying down in a meadow of flowers whilst gazing into each others eyes. I'm obviously the handsome and mesmerizing Edward. Just for the lols…...
Keep it real!
Mwah, Tarriiaaa
No comments:
Post a Comment