They say that ignorance is bliss, and knowledge is the key to freedom. But how true is that? How free are we? In ignorance, we are chained by the restrictions that come with it, and a lack of creative means, with no hope of moving forward. But in knowledge we are also chained by the obligations and responsibilities that present themselves alongside our knowledge. Can we really be free? What is the balance of liberation? To stay in ignorance is to deny oneself a meaningful life, but to forever be in pursuit of knowledge denies the chance of finding any meaning in life. The only liberation, then, is to admit that one shall never know all that there is in life. But does that signify defeat, and thus ignorance? No. The balance is found in a book. A book that lays out what things can be learned, and what things will never be understood. A
book where life’s meaning is found on every page, every paragraph, every line, sentence and word. A book written over the course of 2,000 years by 40 men, where every word was inspired by God. Be free of the chains; liberation is never far away.
Stories: how powerful they are. Cutting through to the very soul, leaving a raw and bleeding path in their wake. Each line eliciting a new emotion, one that leaves the soul-bearer changed forever. No more can the reader be innocent of the pain, love, insights or laughs that a single story can reveal. Never again can the mind revert to its former self; forever changed, forever having entered a new awareness. One can live a pretend life, as if unchanged, but somewhere, some time, perhaps in the dark of night or a weak moment, again will the story be brought to the forefront of the mind. Inescapable, forever chained.
Why can stories hold such power? Simple words written on a paper. But the force they wield can shape and hold sway over life and death itself. Why? A single voice penetrating, piercing. Can mere words really be that affecting?
So many have tried to control the power of words. Some have caused unspeakable terrors, while others have shown love and encouragement, proclaiming the message they were given. Still others merely flounder in a sea of words, their attempts at greatness falling by the wayside, soon to be swept away to make room for the new current.
Stories. A force so powerful, only one could, has, can, and will have complete control over it. A force that bows to no one but its maker. Only one man can claim that ownership. A man called Messiah. Prince of Peace. King. Lord. Emmanuel. Jehovah. Yahweh. Savior. Redeemer. Christ. Son. Jesus. … God.
