How many times do we have to watch this? It’s so yesterday already. What am I talking about? I’m talking about this scene that shows up in romances, rom-coms, thrillers, dystopian works … everywhere.
Two basically strangers meet. They feel “something” for the other. Before too many scenes pass, we find them nearly swallowing the other whole, tearing their close off and crashing into some flesh on flesh convulsion.
I’m sorry. Maybe you see the beauty in the scene. It can be a writer’s way to help us understand the passionate nature of the characters. You may criticize me as a prude for describing the scene with such negative language. If that is so, you wouldn’t like my novels which include some romantic involvement within them.
I add the romance purposely. First, I enjoy seeing that interest in stories. I even include a little sexual tension in my novels because I think that’s realistic of most romantic encounters. Two very different personalities struggling between surrender and survival.
Most of all, I create a romance within the adventure because it depicts in an imperfect way the relationship between Creator and humanity. Two very different personalities struggling between surrender and survival.
I do believe the Gospel is the ultimate definition of love. Jesus is not only quoted as saying, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13 NIV). He also surrendered his life and momentarily his relationship with the Father (Matthew 27:46) not only so that all humanity can survive, but thrive here on Earth and eternally.
This creates the tension for any to believe. Jesus also said, “If you love me, keep my commands” (John 14:15 NIV) and “If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love” (John 15:10 NIV).
Keep his commandments. That takes a huge paradigm shift for us humans first to believe and then to love God. We continue to struggle between surrender and survival.
First, to believe we have to surrender the notion that we have something to do with our survival. Then, we surrender our personal lordship and make Jesus our Lord.
Even for believers there is this constant struggle between complete surrender that the circumstances we face, the decision we need to make or the issues at hand are best overcome by doing it God’s way.
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:1-2 NIV).
This, at least for me, takes a constant surrendering of my mind, body and spirit to God several times a day. It begins by remembering the mercies of God – how much God loves me unconditionally and eternally. Even then, sometimes I fail to completely surrender. Yet, God keeps on loving and pursuing the best for my life.
God wants that for you, too. Because Christ surrendered His life once for all, God will not surrender His love for you (Romans 8:38-39).
Categories: Love Sample writing
Douglas Knight
I have the rich life full of a sinner wounded by misunderstanding and punishment but blessed by mercy and forgiveness.
Knight Writer 