Monday, July 19, 2010

Edward, Jacob and Jesus

This blog has been brewing for some time now.

One word. Twilight.

Have I seen the movies? Yes.

Did I like them? I did.

Do I see what the craze is about? Most definitely.

I haven't read the books, but the movies alone would be enough to make every tween heart swoon and every middle-aged woman mad at her husband.
Edward and those crazy, beautiful eyes. Jacob and those 108 degree abs.

There are so many opinions about this series.... Is it appropriate for Christians? Are they corrupting the younger generations? Are young minds dwelling too much on darkness and unattainable love? Is the sex appeal of these characters too strong?

Well, this was the profile in the theater....behind me sat six twelve-year-old girls, in front of me sat a bald, gray-bearded man, beside him sat his college-aged daughter, to my left was my cousin and to my right was my cute, giggly, twi-hard mother-in-law.

This is not just a tweenage craze. It is a craze...period.

But why? What is the draw?

When I came home from watching Eclipse the other night Brent asked me, "So. What'd you think?"

I replied, "What a love story."

All fangs aside, that is the craze. Love.

I am not ONE bit surprised this series is blowing up the box office. Yes, Hollywood's idea to cast little heart throbs for every role helps sales. But the draw, ultimately, is Love.

So, over-spiritualizing as I do, here's my take.

We were created by the author of Love. We were created by Love Himself (1 John 3:16). We long for it. We need it. Love is embedded so deeply into the fiber of our souls that we must have it.

We were created with an eternal longing for love.

To love Edward? No.

Jacob? No.

To love God.

These two heart throbs do one heck of a job representing love, I must say. Edward is so patient with Bella. Kind. He protects her. She can trust him. His love is unfailing. Not self-seeking. He and Jacob both fight for her. Long for her. Would die for her.

Brent and I are very blessed to have a great marriage. We are very much in love. However, I assure you that I am not sleeping on his chest all night, while he stays awake, watching me sleep, petting me and smelling my hair.

All but those abs, Jacob nor Edward have a thing on Brent. But, as wonderful as Brent is, he is not perfect, nor can he maintain perfect love for me.

He is fallen.
Sinful.
And mortal.

Man, no matter how perfectly casted, can not fulfil us. Or give us eternity.

But there is One. The One who watches over us. The One who will neither slumber nor sleep. One who will keep all us from all harm, who watches over our lives. (Psalm 121:3,7-8) Who knows our coming and going. Who knows our every thought. (Psalm 94:11)

Nothing hinders Him. Neither death not life, neither angels nor demons, neither present not the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God. Romans 8:38-39.

This story of Love has already been written. But it is not fiction.

The romance is with neither wear wolf nor vampire. It is with a Savior. If it is eternal love we long for then it is found in Him. He removes from us a heart of stone and gives us a heart of flesh. (Eze 36:26)

He gives us life, not death.

His love is Supernatural.

The Twilight series is a story of love. And I have enjoyed each one. And what a great opportunity we have to enjoy them and walk away from the theater with the confidence of knowing that we have a Love, even greater still.

Not found in Edward.

Not with Jacob.

A love found in Jesus.

6 comments:

  1. I love the connection you made. Some girls may want an Edward that cares for them and protects them, but Oh how much more God loves. He has been chasing after us since the beginning of time. If you want a love story look to the bible, how amazing! I will say I did read the books and I couldn't put them down, but I am pretty solid these days and am no longer looking for unrealistic love and expectations. I do also want to say as for the controversy of young girls reading these books; my answer would be no I don't think younger girls should be reading them. Because they are so impressionable and there is so much intertwined in this saga.
    thanks becky, I loved this post!
    ~jimmie lee
    www.everythingbeautiful-jimmielee.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. I wholeheartedly agree Becky! I've spent time contemplating the widespread appeal of the Twilight series myself. I've read the books, and I'd add to these conclusions that the element of mystery and adventure is another dimension of this.

    God is a mysterious God. He is a dangerous God. Yet He loves us with a love greater than any other like you pointed out. There are so many parallels between that and the attraction people have to the Edward character.

    We all love stories, particularly adventure stories because we long to be part of something bigger, something exciting, something that gives us purpose and challenges us. I believe it's because God has weaved this framework into our hearts- that we were created to play a role in THE ADVENTURE, His great adventure, that started long ago, continues today and is so much greater than any adventure we could up with for our own lives. The Kingdom of God is advancing whether or not we choose to play a part in it. And He invites us into this adventure with Him. It may feel a little too wild for us at times, but we weren't meant to go it alone, just like Bella doesn't stand a chance without her dangerous, loving, supernatural protectors. It's not our story, it's His. But we are so blessed that He's written us in to it, and calls us in to it, and doesn't give up on us when we turn away and seek our own small, self serving, insignificant stories.

    I think we all long to be on this great adventure with Jesus, wrapped in His perfect love. And I just think that's another reason why the Twilight series, among other great adventure/love stories speaks to our hearts even though we may not understand why.

    Thanks for writing this Becky!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi! I have never read any of the books or saw any of the movies but you just made me want to! What a great post. Hope your having a wonderful Monday! xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  4. I am not even sure that I should comment b/c I haven't read the books OR seen the movies. I have wondered what all of the craze is about, though. Great comparisons and post! I think that what makes me sad is that our flesh nature wants to settle for the experience of that fake adventure on the screen or in the book. People long for that for sure...and never get it without Christ. BUT, is that pushing people toward Christ? Toward wanting that love adventure with Him? Or, does it leave them discontent, waiting for the next one in the series (or another dramatic love story) to come out? And feeling empty or angry b/c of expectations not met b/c that isn't experienced? If we trust in things here on earth, love or fame or money or friends, of course we will always be lacking.
    Feel free to throw all of this out the window since I haven't seen them!
    Love you, Becky! Thanks for your time in blogging!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Amen, Sister! I haven't read the books or seen the movies either but my highschool girls in my small group have discussed it & I stressed the same thing with them. I'm so glad I'm not the only one who overspiritualizes! ;) Thanks for your continued pursuit of seeing God in everything! It's encouraging me to run my race in such a way as to glorify Him!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I found your blog through Under Grace and Over Coffee and I love this post. I like how you intertwined the Twilight Series and Jesus. It's true that love is what draws up to watch. We all love the power of love.
    Thanks for sharing the word.

    ReplyDelete

Comments...I love them. I read them. They encourage my socks off. Thanks!

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.

Related Posts with Thumbnails


Made with graphic elements by Cori Gammon