A few weeks ago, I overheard someone talking loudly on a cellphone. She was distraught about someone she knew who had cheated on his wife. The problem was that she didn’t like the guy’s wife, so she was confused about whether or not it would be bad for him to leave her. The conversation went on for about 5 minutes before it finally dawned on me: she was talking about characters on a TV show!
Maybe our lives are just too comfortable and boring, because many of us seem to be grafting fiction into our own realities. Here’s the latest evidence: grief counseling available for Harry Potter fans:
Ms. Vorsheck is available to speak with parents and children, as well as the media, on how to cope with feelings of grief and loss. This is a particularly timely issue with the release of the final Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows scheduled for release this Saturday, July 21, 2007. Recent articles have sparked rumors suggesting that one or more main characters will die. This could have a serious impact on children, millions of whom have grown up reading, watching and profoundly enjoying the characters and storylines of the Harry Potter series. As the world comes to terms with the possible demise of a hero, The Highmark Caring Place and Ms. Vorsheck will share insights helping children and parents to cope with some of life’s most difficult challenges. (via BoingBoing)
You’ve got to be kidding me. There’s not enough drama in the real world? People are being blown up every day in Iraq, but we still feel the need to invent our own tragedies so we can experience the intense emotions that most suburbanites are denied?
Some people don’t even need to co-opt fantasy tragedy. They’ll magnify any little trial in life until it becomes the worst thing that ever happened to them. (It’s called being a drama queen, and I have a toddler who’s already firmly ensconced on her throne).
Know how Jesus wants us to deal with tragedy in life (whether imagined or not)? I’ll let him tell you in his own words, through the prayer he offered to the Father in just before his death:
I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. (John 17)
He’s praying for his disciples, a group of guys who have no reason for joy. Their leader is about to be executed, and in a little while people will be gunning for them. There isn’t much worse in this world that you can face. They don’t need to invent any tragedy: a Shakespearean drama is unfolding right before their eyes. And yet Jesus expects them to have joy. How is that even possible?
Maybe the next few verses will help:
They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.
They’re citizens of heaven, just passing through this world. Whatever they experience here is as temporary as a Paris Hilton jail term. Besides that, they’re sanctified. Set apart for a specific purpose. A purpose which transcends the violent persecution they’re about to face.
Need some drama in your life? Try being a true disciple like these guys were. You won’t need to invent tragedies after that.