BALANCING FANTASY AND CHRISTIANITY

When I was eight years old I was introduced to the world of Harry Potter. Instead of just sticking my feet in and testing out the waters, I jumped in headfirst delving deep into the world of witchcraft and wizardry. You could constantly find me reading the books, watching the movies or play acting Harry Potter with my friends. At that age, Harry Potter was a huge part of my life. And despite the wild accusations flying around at the time, diving deeper into this world actually helped me come closer to God. 

It was incredible. From the beginning, I was captivated. For the first time in my life, I had been whisked away by the beautifully creative words of an author. From being the shy little girl that I was before, being unable to open up and show the world my light, I become a blooming flower and always had a smile on my face. It was thanks to J.K. Rowling, who reached out with her words and reached even her youngest readers on an absolutely personal level. Because of this, I became an avid reader; and my imagination thrived.

During this time in my life, I was finally able to come out of my shell and participate more at church. I not only threw myself into volunteering as an altar girl (in our Catholic church), but I was able to become a vivacious student at school as well. I enjoyed learning and couldn’t wait for each day to come.

It was through this portal that I started talking to God. I no longer felt silly for speaking to someone I couldn’t see. I wrote him letters, colored pictures for Him and enjoyed serving Him at church each and every week. It was because of J.K. Rowling bringing her characters to life, that I realized that there is much more than the eye can see.

After continuously waiting for each new book of the Harry Potter series, I decided it was time to find another series to read in the in between times. And luckily for me, I happened to stumble across The Chronicles of Narnia. Once again, I found myself being pulled in by words spinning through the pages. Through this series I was drawn even closer to God, imagining such vivid places that exist only in Heaven: from the bright blue skies, to the rolling green hills, the staggeringly tall mountains, the forests with their twists and turns, and the deep blue ocean that washed across the pure white beaches. I was able to get more and more excited about God and doing His will, knowing that that is how you gain entrance to Heaven.

And then, once again, I had finished another series and was craving something new to fill my ever curious mind. That was when I stumbled across this last series: Percy Jackson and the Olympians, (which has now turned into a two-part series….Percy Jackson and the Olympians – 5 books, and The Heroes of Olympus – 5 books, and a companion book). This series was nothing like the other two; it actually revolved around the worship and children of the Greek and Roman gods. While usually this is something that I would steer clear from and discourage anyone else from reading it, I was almost captivated by these series more than any other. Not only was it extremely captivating and well written with plot twists and cliff hangers to spare, but it was written in such a way that anyone who read it would never want to worship the Greek gods. Not only do they make horrible gods, but they make horrible parents as well, and the whole plot of the series is for the children of the gods to go and clean up the mess they made. It makes me even more thankful for having a God, and Father who cares so deeply and truly for His children; who would never make us clean up His mess (not that He has any). This series helped me to understand just the grace and love that is our God.

Although there are many arguments between religious people and fans of magical series, I’ve found that without opening the wonder of our children’s imaginations than we will have a much more difficult time getting them to know God. It is through literature–whether Biblical or fictional–that we are able to figure out who we truly are in God. So before limiting your children (or yourself) in the world of reading, keep an open mind, and let God’s glory shine in everything you do–and read.

Do you have a favorite fantasy series (clean)? Leave a comment with it below!!!

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