In my literature class we have been studying the Restoration period. Which at first trust me I had no interest in even though I love the subject. But the last week we started in on some poetry, Metaphysical to be exact. I know what you're thinking.. " What in the mess is Metaphysical poetry/writing?" Pretty much it is about the contemplation of life and physical things. So to help us understand (because we were pretty much just as confused as you are right now) we read a story Paradise Lost by John Milton. It's a big ole long thing though so we only read an exerp.
Let me give you some background on Milton. This was during the 17th Century and he was a preacher. The things that he wrote about all fit into Metaphysical because it was what he was contemplating and really questioning himself. From the research I have done on my own, this whole thing was separated into 12 books. The story line is pretty much the fall of mankind and why God does what he does and why it's his way.
The character talks about in the beginning how Adam and Eve took the apple and they sinned. Now if you read the Bible or really in general I figure most people know this story, but for those of you who don't Adam and Eve were God's first creation. They were told not to eat the fruit on the tree but the devil tempted them and they ate it anyway. And there you have mans first sin. So after he explains this he goes into the devil and his right hand man having a conversation. Satan was kicked out of Heaven because he and some rebel angels tried to fight God for all the power, obviously this was a stupid choice because he's the creator. Why would you rattle that cage?
Anyways, they got kicked out and God sent them to Hell. As Satan and his PIC (partner in crime) are talking they say things like- He will never stop trying to take the power from God but yet he admits that God is knowingly more powerful than him. Also he says that he will never stop trying to undo all the good that God is doing. In other words, in every good situation he is going to try and turn it into a bad one. When you finally get to the end the narrator decides that he would rather have a little power in Hell than to go to Heaven. "Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heaven."
This got me thinking, mostly about the world and his decision. I really don't understand his decision to go to Hell (literally) after so vividly describing the horrors of it. And then I thought.. even though this is a sad thing to come to, most of the people today because of their greediness would rather have some power even if it meant being in a place with no relief or rest or happiness, than to have joys beyond the imagination and continue serving God. I also feel like religion is really just a kicked around "promise" nowadays. Do Christians honestly take their job seriously? Do we live like we would want God to see us living if he came back now.. a couple days.. a few years? People are obviously not perfect and that's exactly why we need God, because he is. A lot of people also question if something bad happens then how can there be a God. But it's because things in life are going to get testy, the waters are going to get rough, and there will be situations that are hard to face. But this is because of the first sin and the sin that continues today.
I know this is a deep topic and I intended on having "Other Things" but I've pretty much wrote a novel. Imagine that. So that's all the food for thought today. Later when Me & Kolton get back from going out on the town i'll post a couple pictures of how the costume turned out! (:
<3 always, Abigail
