I recently read Twilight
Reading it, however, reminded me of a book I read years ago titled, Sacred Romance by Brent Curtis and John Eldredge (thank you Alissa P. for the gift!). As this is also Holy Week on the Christian calendar, I’ve been in a thoughtful and reflective mood this week reviewing my relationship with God and where to go from here.
So how are these two books related, at least in my own head? Let me try to explain…first, let me clarify that I’ve not seen the movie, so all of my impressions are based on the book.
Twilight is about the relationship between two 17-yr olds, Bella and Edward. Bella is human, Edward is something else. Bella is initially drawn to Edward because of his physical features – he’s beautiful! As the two interact, however, a kinship develops that is more than skin deep. They each are willing to protect the other and become interdependent much in the way that “true love” grows both real and in stories. In this story, it is primarily Edward who seeks (pursues) Bella’s attention. Edward, as a not-exactly-human, has special endowments that he can use at will to draw Bella’s attraction to him. Edward develops a deep desire for Bella’s presence and Bella a longing to be in his presence.
Sacred Romance is about God’s desire to be in relationship with us. It’s my opinion that God created us to worship Him. He wants us to seek to be in His presence and to communicate with Him. He’s a jealous God and He wants our attention first and foremost. In some ways, Edward’s pursuit of Bella’s affection reminds me of how Sacred Romance describes God’s pursuit of our attention. How can we experience the wonders and beauty of Spring and not think of God? When we are hurt by our earthly love, who do we cry out to? When there is no one else to turn to, He is there for us!
Reading about Edward and Bella’s relationship, however, serves to provide comparison and contrast to my relationship with God. Sacred Romance describes God as pursuing our affection through our varied life experiences. Yet, we are totally free to “take it or leave it”, so to speak. In Twilight, on the other hand, Edward has special talents that he can use to make himself irresistible to her. Once Edward made Bella the object of his desire, Bella would desire him in return. Though we are the object of God’s desire and He sent His Son to earth to die for us, it is still our choice whether or not we desire God in return. To me, this is amazing, the ultimate right to choose!
So, as I think about God’s holy sacrifice of so long ago and His awesome displays of love toward me, I am humbled and drawn to Him in return.
Happy Easter!
