I love fantasy.
I read to find adventure, to find something more than mundane life, to see people become great through adversity, to see everything work out no matter how dark the circumstances are.
I think lots of people dream of ding something "like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered." And whether it stays wishful thinking or transposes into real life, the idea of adventure, bravery, victory, is embedded in the hearts of all humans.
That's not random. God didn't create us to love heroes for no reason. While our feeble minds search for fulfillment in the 'great stories,' we're really searching for the One Great Story, the One that really matters.
This story has "... Fighting. Torture. . . True love. Hate. Revenge. Giants. Hunters. Bad men. Good men. Beautiful ladies. . . Beasts of all natures and descriptions. Pain. Death. Brave men. Coward men. Strongest men. Chases. Escapes. Lies. Truths. Passion. Miracles."
I have begun to realize that my love of fantasy has drawn me away from appreciating the true romance woven about the lives of every person. I've asked God to show me the adventure of being a Child of God. He has gladly obliged. I open my Bible, and I see letters written from men imprisoned for their mission. I see ordinary, weak humans becoming great heroes. I see a war being waged which affects the whole world: the war between truth and deception. And most of all, I see the story of a King whose beloved people have turned their backs upon. A King, willing to give everything for a people who see him as a tyrant. A passionate desire for his people to see his true worth and trust him.
The war between good and evil, light and darkness, truth and lies, is not only in the histories. Every day we must recognize the war being waged around us. And the best way to remember the story we are a part of, is to read that story.
You can't know a book by reading its study guides, commentaries and reviews. You must read the book itself to truly get to know its characters, plot, and most importantly, its author.
Read the story. Love the story. Live the story. This is the cry of the Author. His word reveals his heart. Don't throw that away.
Every day, Lord, help us appreciate you, and your story.
