In one sense, all fictional stories are fantasy in that they did not occur in reality, so I am not digressing from my genre this week as I discuss the broader concept of Story and its impact on our lives.
Story is very useful as a medium to impart truth. As I mentioned in a previous post, Jesus used Story in the form of parables, to teach spiritual truths. The prodigal son, the lost sheep, the rich man and Lazarus. Much of the Bible is in narrative or Story form (albeit, true stories).
Why is it that God utilized narrative form so often in His message to us? I believe as humans we have an innate interest in anything that is a Story. God, as the author of the ultimate Story, His plan for the universe, created in us a desire to know the true Story and we seek bits of that in every story we read, consciously or not.
I would argue that even in books we read "purely for entertainment" we are seeking pieces of that one true Story. We are looking for a feeling of escape from the present world, or a satisfying conclusion to the conflicts presented in the book. This reflects a perhaps unexpressed desire for God to right our world, to experience life free from conflict and enjoy all the blessings He has in store for those that love Him. Even those who don't believe in a God still have a sense that life is not as it should be, that there is a better society to strive for. I believe this reflects the image of God in them, that each of us have, which cries out for God to make His creation the way it's supposed to be.
As we wait for that day, God uses both the true stories of Scripture, and its parables to enlighten us about the true Story and its ending - whether lived "happily ever after" or not depends on our response to Him. The stories written by others also contain either complementary pieces of the true Story, or a twisted, incorrect view based on this fallen, imperfect world and the author of lies, who wishes us not to recognize the true Story when we see it. Do you know which story you are reading? Do you know which story you are writing?
Something to think about.
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