In creative writing each
year, one of the things we discuss is the different kind of antagonists
employed in stories. For a quick refresher, by the way, an antagonist is “the
bad guy” or the primary force opposing the main character (or “the good guy”)
in a story.
Bad guys in stories can be
external, as in the character of John Aycliffe in Crispin: the Cross of Lead (Avi). When I read Crispin, I really couldn't stand that guy...
Another external antagonist might be the creepy gnome staring at you from this picture... |
The opposition can also be
internal, as in the conflict of mind for Eliza Bennett in Pride and Prejudice (Austen).
>>In most stories, even in the
two mentioned above, both forms of opposition are present.
The same is true in life.
Most
often, we have both internal and external antagonistic forces opposing us. For
you, one antagonist may be a bully at school or even a debilitating disease
that you deal with every day. Perhaps you struggle with keeping your thoughts
pure when you see a cute guy or girl or keeping your attitude in check when speaking
with people in authority over you.
At the very least, we always
have that inner turmoil—the internal antagonist. For, even when you belong to
Christ, your old nature is present within you.
Like the character Gollum from Lord
of the Rings (Tolkien), you constantly have to fight fleshly and evil
desires within yourself.
If you are in God’s family,
however, the good news is that the power to overcome those lusts of the flesh
resides within you—in the Holy Spirit. But no matter what your main struggle is
at this moment—whether internal or external—I want to encourage you to call
upon the Lord in your distress.
When reading Psalms 18
today, I was reminded of a song we used to sing in children’s church. The words
of the song were taken directly from Scripture:
I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. . .
The Lord liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted. (Psalms 18:3, 46)
Follow David’s example, my
friends:
Call upon the living Lord.