Lit Blog

Every now and then I come across some really intriguing pieces of world literature that do more for me than purely entertain. Admit it. Most of the time, we approach literature (and by literature I also refer to film) with the intent on being entertained above all, and maybe learning something interesting or valuable in the process (if we're lucky...or perhaps, attentive enough?!) Anyhow, there are two recent that are honorable mentions. One's a film, and the other a dystopian novel:

Let's start with the film: Penelope, starring Christina Ricci and (my personal favorite actor right now) James McAvoy.

I won't go into great detail about plot and such, but if you haven't seen it and are planning to, you should maybe skip this paragraph, just in case I spoil some of it for you. I just want to focus on a quote from the very end of the film, spoken by a little boy - one of the students in Penelope's class - that resonates with me and my observation of people who view themselves - their appearance (or something about their appearance), believed inadequacies, etc - with insecurity and perhaps even obsession. Obsession in such a way that it debilitates any healthy notions of self. "It's not the power of the curse, it's the power you give the curse". Isn't that just a fantastic line? And so true. In the film, the "curse" of Penelope's snout is not perceived as a curse to her, but to everyone else, most especially her mother. When Penelope (or more so, her snout) is finally exposed to the world, the hype that was created slowly dies down as she gradually becomes accepted for who she is. The curse breaks not as a result of marriage, or love from another, but when she decides that she likes herself the way she is, snout and all. In ways similar, the "curses" in our own lives are only as potent as the power we willingly (yet perhaps, unknowingly, or stubbornly) attribute it. They need not destroy our lives, but yet we allow them to.

Now to the novel: Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

This dystopian novel endeavors to paint a picture of a utopian world void of everything that makes us human, in particular: wrongdoing (sin) and the need for God. In the centuries of effort it took this New World to get to where it is, what occurs is a genetic engineering of humanity: cloned and conditioned (in the most effective and organized way possible) to function in a stable society, within a stable social order that each individual functions to support. Every last detail is explained, so that there does not appear to be any loopholes or gray areas in terms of how the society functions and remains stable. Now of course, what's a good novel without conflict? Somehow there remained a "Savage Reservation" made up of people equivalent to us today, living out humanity: families, love, hate, jealousy, art, religion, passion/compassion etc. One "Savage" (born of a "civilized" parents) is allowed the opportunity to see and live among the "civilized" people, and it is through him that we get the wisdom of this book. A good three chapters are devoted to dialogue between the Savage and the World Controller (President type figure), which makes me wonder if Huxley had a religious background. There's a lot I could quote, but I'll stick with some brief excerpts. These occur in conversation about the un-necessity of God in the New World because life is, essentially, perfect: "Religious sentiment tends to develop as we grow older...as the passions grow calm, as the fancy and sensibilities are less excited and less excitable" (233). Further, "[One] can only be independent of God while [one] has youth and prosperity; independence won't take you safely to the end. Well, we got youth and prosperity right up to the end" (233).

To which the Savage responds:

"If you allowed yourselves to think of God, you wouldn't allow yourselves to be degraded by pleasant vices. You'd have a reason for bearing things patiently, for doing things with courage" (236).

In other words, life is not meant to be perfected. There is, and will never be, perfection because humanity is imperfect. Imperfection is in our blood; rebellion is in our nature, as is the desire to love and be loved. And in that same vein is the natural inclination (combined with grace) to believe in God. Living life and knowing God are not meant to be mutually exclusive. Essentially, they cannot be. God is the Creator of all life and, as much as we run after independence, we are dependent. We will never live in a perfect world that is void of everything terrible - death, war, sickness, suffering, poverty, hate - because such a world cannot exist when those who inhabit it are, by nature, instigators of such. And, among other things, that's why we need God.

Well, that's my review and I could go on but I'd probably bore you to death so I'll stop here. I recommend both if you're looking for an entertaining (and insightful) view and read.

Wisdom from the Word

Expect these posts from time to time. This will be the first of many!

There are times when scriptures and passages in God's Word require a deeper study and contemplation to arrive at an adequate understanding of what is being stated. And even then, another perusal of the same passage at a later time can bring about a fresh perspective. I love how God's Word comes to life even after I've read a particular passage over before. It's the Spirit's doing, of course. But I'm just so amazed at how He really moves to help me grasp the Word in a new light, especially when I am seeking a deeper understanding and application to my life.

Then there are times when God's Word cannot be any more blunt. The truth is simply straightforward and one does not have to be a scholar to understand what is being stated. Of course, we need to have the Spirit to understand what is being said, and more so, to accept it as truth. But the point is, God's Word can be so clear about some things.

Here is one of those "simply stated" passages that will serve as my post:

"This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives. My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense - Jesus Christ, the Righteous One...We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says 'I know him', but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did."

1 John 1:3-2:6

Clear and simple. It definitely spoke to me (italics emphasis is mine) and I have no reason to think otherwise about what it means to know God, because it's right there.

Any passages that you've encountered in your readings that are 'simply stated' like this one. Please, share them with me! I'd love to know how the Lord is speaking to you =)

Gone tomorrow

I consider it a miracle that I've been alive for the past 25 years, knowing that at any time the Lord can take me home. I'm reminded of the (in)stability of life - here today, gone tomorrow. The Bible uses the illustration of life as a vapor or a mist that appears for a while, and then as quickly as it arrived, vanishes. Believer or not, we will all one day face the end of our life here on earth; we will (if we haven't already) one day confront the death of someone dear to us. It's just a matter of time. All things considered, how does the knowledge of inevitable death at any time impact how we live life while we're still here? Rather, how should this knowledge affect our decisions, interactions, perspective? I know that for me, the Lord is teaching me to take for granted LESS the people he has placed in my life and has given to me to love with His love. My husband is only one example, and perhaps the most important person God has given to me. I'm going to be honest. I complain, I nag, I set at times unattainable expectations (that I can't even meet), and what happens? I end up angry, confused, and disappointed most of the time. I overlook what, and who, I have in favor of what I hope to have. In His own way, God has gently been telling me to appreciate, respect, and lavish with love the man I have today because he may not be here tomorrow.

God is sovereign in His actions, that is a sure thing. Although we may not always understand the whys of this life, we can and should put our trust, hope, and faith in the Author of life. Thank you, Lord, that you know all things and you love all those you have made. You give and you take away. Help me, by your Spirit, to trust you still when you choose to take away.