Have You Been Claimed?

By Lane Palmer at Dare 2 Share

What a way to engage a teen audience during Valentine season – with the release of a totally original, never before conceived movie that connects a soapy teen romance with supernatural teen powers.

As you already know,Twilight Beautiful Creatures is out for public consumption - and (spoiler alert!) the story revolves around a teenage witch caster (as in - casting spells - see what they did there?) being raised by her uncle and aunt (not at all like Harry Potter).  Enter teenage boy and forbidden love, throw in some spellbinding effects that draw you into the intense battle between good and evil, and you’ve got a bewitching formula for entertainment!

Like I said…totally original.

But one element from Beautiful Creatures plot with actual spiritual overtones is the decision that the protagonist Lena has to make when she turns 16.  While us normal mortals have to decide between getting our drivers license  or remain in mommy mini-van world, the Casters have to make a life altering choice between serving the Light or teaming up with Darkness.

In other words, they choose who has claim over them, and it forever dominates their destiny.

Of course all this makes for an exciting and suspenseful plot, but I’m wondering if most realize that this is truly a case where art is imitating life.  The truth mixed in with this fantasy tale is the fact that the majority of mortals choose spiritual light or darkness sometime during their teenage years -

And it may forever dominate their destiny - both here on earth and into eternity…

How? Statistics show that 75% of Christians in America chose to trust in Jesus Christ for salvation before the age of 18, and only one in eight receive Him after the age of 21.  This is why Satan and his army of darkness are so intensely and radically committed to staking their claim over every generation of young people. The battle for earthly lives and eternal souls rages all about us, especially in the world of teenagers - and don’t think for a second that you are exempt from it.

 Here’s how Jesus describes this reality:

“This is the crisis we’re in: God-light streamed into the world, but men and women everywhere ran for the darkness. They went for the darkness because they were not really interested in pleasing God. Everyone who makes a practice of doing evil, addicted to denial and illusion, hates God-light and won’t come near it, fearing a painful exposure”(John 3:19-20, The Message).

Some of you may be running for the darkness, and like Beautiful Creatures, you are consumed with hopelessness because you see no way out of your captivity.  If that’s the case, let these words break through the enslaving evil and set you free:

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life” (John 8:12, NLT).

No matter what you’ve done, no matter how deep the darkness has become entrenched in every fiber of your being, remember that freedom and forgiveness are a simple prayer away.  Let Jesus break every chain that has claimed you by simply trusting in Him. While saying a prayer isn’t what gets you into a relationship with God, it is a way for you to express your newfound faith in Jesus. You might pray something like this from your heart:

Dear God, I know that my sins have broken my relationship with you and that nothing I could do could ever change that. But right now, I believe that Jesus died in my place. I trust in Him to forgive me for my sins. Through faith in Him I am entering an eternal relationship with you. Thank you for this free gift! Amen.

And what about the rest of us who have placed our faith in the Light of the World and let Him claim us?  We need to remember that our part in this story and in THE Cause becomes even more critical!  You may not be a “caster,” but I’ve got something for you that no fantasy tale can hold a candle to:

“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.  No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father”(Matthew 5:14-16).

Jesus is the Light of the World, and if you follow Him, you are the light of the world as well!  But don’t hide the illuminating beams that can emanate from your life if you let Him claim you.

My friend, your Heavenly Father thinks you are a beautiful creature, but don’t forget that this world has a deadly darkness that can draw you into lethal chaos.  Follow the Light of the World by being the light of the world, and you will witness the miracle of beautiful redemption in your story.