Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Twilight and Dawn

Twilight. I’ve only read a short synopsis about it in the web. But I’ve heard of it from (younger) friends who were unable to stop reading it. I just saw in the newspaper that its movie adaptation raked in a lot of money. So why do people find these stories appealing considering that they follow the same formula? Good vampire against bad vampire. A girl and a boy in love with each other are caught between the struggle. And they have to deal with the fact that they only become alive when the sun has hidden its face.

 

My generation was reading something similar to it: the Vampire Chronicles of Anne Rice.

 

Many authors (like Rick Warren) have talked about how the human heart has been planted with the longing for eternity and completion. No wonder we find appealing stories about creatures who live forever and who continuously try to find the ecstasy of love. Because we have souls that will live forever and will only find meaning in the enveloping love of God.

 

In my younger days, I had found these stories so riveting. One day though I realized that I had to stop filling my head with stories that mix eternity and savagery, love and cruelty, happiness that end with the dawn. I know that real truth can stand up to the brightness of the light. If vampires need to hide from the rising sun, then I am sorry but I can no longer read their stories. They cower in the misery of the dark. I want to stay with the sun which brings the promise of hope and a new beginning.


image from www.gdr.callezaragosa.com


1 comment:

Gypsy said...

Hmmm...never read the book nor seen the movie, though heard a lot about it! I think you are right about why people find stories like this appealing...

Hey I just answered your tag--finally! Sorry for taking so long. :)

Lion Chaser Manifesto

Quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death. Set God-sized goals. Pursue God-ordained passions. Go after a dream that is destined to fail without divine intervention. Keep asking questions. Keep making mistakes. Keep seeking God. Stop pointing out problems and become part of the solution. Stop repeating the past and start creating the future. Stop playing it safe and start taking risks. Expand your horizons. Accumulate experiences. Enjoy the journey. Find every excuse you can to celebrate everything you can. Live like today is the first day and last day of your life. Don't let what's wrong with you keep you from worshiping what's right with God. Burn sinful bridges. Blaze new trails. Criticize by creating. Worry less about what people think and more about what God thinks. Don't try to be who you're not. Be yourself. Laugh at yourself. Quit holding out. Quit holding back. Quit running away.

Chase the lion.

In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day by Mark Batterson (www.evotional.com)