The thief comes only to steal
and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. John 10:10
(NRSV)
The
Book Thief[1] is
an incredible story of epic/tragic/indomitable proportions. Set in 1939 Nazi Germany, the author traces
the losses of war through the wartime experiences of a preteen girl.
What’s
so compelling (and, particularly so in the case of the movie) is the narrator
is “death”. Death shares its commentary
on how busy he was during that time “collecting all those souls” (for the
purpose of moving them to the hereafter).
In being
present for the events of receiving the souls of men, women and children, Death’s
descriptions of what it felt like, and just how they fell or rolled into his
hands, characterize the way people lived their lives; Death was announcing the real
obituaries or life stories of his victims.
(Disclaimer – If you
have not read the book or seen the movie you may want to stop here…I’m about to
give away part of the ending.)
Liesel,
the central character, around whom this story unfolds, loses almost everyone to
war’s destruction – her mother, best friend and step-parents.
At the
end there is a “fast-forward” from 1945 to current day when “Death” is
summing-up Liesel’s obituary. The one
who had lived in so much loss went on to live a useful, joyful, most meaningful
life. And, with something of a sigh,
Death’s final evaluation is, “There is one real truth I know; I am haunted by
humans.”
And
there you have it; death cannot figure out life.
It cannot
comprehend or conquer life any more than darkness can exist in the presence of
light.
The
human spirit, a gift of God, fashioned in the image of God, is designed for life,
truth, light and resilience; these are the strength of God. Death is none of that and cannot speak for
eternity.
So
here is one truth I know; I am not haunted by death, for I am possessed by
life; and that, more abundantly.
For You, Today…
Go
live without fear; live in the way of He who is the truth and life.
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