Into the Fire

This picutre provides a perfect visual for our earth bound by the dirty chains of sin.

It reminds me of the diminishing pockets of innocence and how difficult it is today to allow children to remain untouched and unscathed by the growing and brazen onslaught of sin. Parents who must send their kids to public school receive the brunt and scourge of the degradation of humanity as more and more we learn how the government's curriculum turns to indoctrination and propaganda for an evil world and its ideas of "good". What some schools inject into kindergarten classes would curl the tiny hairs on a bald head. False history and evil ways and those who are willing to "teach" such things as sex education to little ones own character flaws so deep it's mind boggling.

It's impossible to ignore the slide into depravity of this world.

For those of us who write contemporary fiction, we must decide how to address the circumstances of our current world. Let me state this fact first: I see nothing wrong with "sweet and light" novels whose approach to life in the 21st century focuses on "smaller" conflicts and situations between characters. By smaller I mean less dominated by serious issues where characters have experienced some ugly difficulties – and where these difficulties are given real portrayals (sans graphics) of ugly situations. This is not to say that "sweet and light" literature does not address serious and difficult issues. Not at all. It's how they address these various circumstances and experiences that separates them from the tougher depictions of the world's influence and effects.

It's important to add I can understand why some readers prefer the sweet and light novels to those which have been termed "gritty," "edgy", or "raw". Having to face the challenges in today's world can make the strongest among us wince and wish to escape. This makes it easier to see why some readers just want something "easier" to read, something which will get them away from the perversions and despicable behaviors seen throughout the world everyday – at least for a few hours.

Now here's the "but" in this post. Authors who choose to give a portrayal of the uglier aspects of today's life on planet earth cannot be faulted for this choice. Especially authors who are Christians. Not every individual is called to do the same thing. Boring doesn't cover how incongruent with God's creativity that premise would be.

Writers tell the stories on their hearts. Granted some professionals can create a storyline from a publisher's suggestion or specific genre need, but many writers don't have or desire that ability. And many writers simply don't do the sweet and light. They do the hard and tough, the ugly and depraved, but the caveat comes in the spirituality of portrayals, effects, conclusions, and decisions. Though these stories command a different reader, they're just as necessary in the marketplace as the lighter choices. Reality is often harsh and it demands storytellers to tell it like it often is. The types of readers who choose these novels want to know there are authors out there who understand what it can be like in a cruel world, but in that process they hope to find a measure of good, of hope, of a one true God to be there for them even in dire straits.

Heaven isn't here on earth. Our prayer for "as it is in heaven" is often to experience the closeness of Jesus, our little breaths of heaven in the midst of sorrows and depravity, our shared hopes for the lost, and a Savior who is real in even the darkest places. That is why some of us write it a little more raw than others.  

Father, help us to endure the travesties of this current world. May your glory be proclaimed throughout this One Nation Under God. We're desperate for you, Lord. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.