I am now just listening through Harry Potter as an adult while my husband reads the books to my older kids. I love this analogy. I think we forget there are so many factors in play when it comes to discernment and we (in our humanness) desire a black or white answer. I love that God takes all into factor and invites us to do the same. Thank you for sharing this for continues pondering.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Brianna! It is indeed comforting to think of God taking all the factors into consideration so we don’t get stuck in a black and white world.
I enjoy the analogy! Particularly as we’ve been listening to Stephen Fry’s narration of the HP series on our long road trips to Scotland. We’re at the end of the Goblet of Fire! Would love a convo at some point about your thoughts on the series.
To your question about discernment…“What’s the cost if I’m wrong, and am I willing to pay it?” - this is a question I ask when making decisions and feel like maybe I need to try something before I’ll really know if it’s meant to be.
And to the point about desire vs free will…my mom always said that God knows the deepest desires of our hearts because he put them there! So I think God wants to lead us to the fulfilment of those desires, and we can cooperate or not, as we will. And I’ve found that when responding to a call to do something, even if I feel reluctant or apprehensive, it almost always leads to something that aligns with or fulfils my deepest desires. Praise God for the scenic route to things!
So, I've never read the series at all... and my husband actually re-read them this spring/summer for the first time since a kid! For some reason everyone is re-reading them at the moment?? He said he also read that Alan Jacobs essay, as he mentioned his love of HP is his book The Pleasures of Reading In an Age of Distraction.
All that to say, I am oblivious to anything Harry Potter but enjoyed the analogy! It's helpful to be reminded our desires are often the clincher in otherwise objectively "balanced" or "equal" choices.
How funny that it does seem like everyone is reading them this summer! I’d be curious to hear your thoughts if you ever do pick them up. (Strong rec for Stephen Fry as narrator since I know you like audio books!) Glad you enjoyed the analogy anyway. :)
Haha the scenic route! I love that image. I think so many of us are afraid of our desires because of a warped view of God and his will- what a blessing that your mom instilled a trust for His good design!
What’s the cost if I’m wrong… this helps me - as you say- try things at a “lower cost” sometimes. Like I don’t want to do the whole thing and have it go badly, but I’m willing to take a baby step and have it be not ideal.
Would love to discuss HP! I have new thoughts every time I revisit the series.
I am now just listening through Harry Potter as an adult while my husband reads the books to my older kids. I love this analogy. I think we forget there are so many factors in play when it comes to discernment and we (in our humanness) desire a black or white answer. I love that God takes all into factor and invites us to do the same. Thank you for sharing this for continues pondering.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Brianna! It is indeed comforting to think of God taking all the factors into consideration so we don’t get stuck in a black and white world.
I enjoy the analogy! Particularly as we’ve been listening to Stephen Fry’s narration of the HP series on our long road trips to Scotland. We’re at the end of the Goblet of Fire! Would love a convo at some point about your thoughts on the series.
To your question about discernment…“What’s the cost if I’m wrong, and am I willing to pay it?” - this is a question I ask when making decisions and feel like maybe I need to try something before I’ll really know if it’s meant to be.
And to the point about desire vs free will…my mom always said that God knows the deepest desires of our hearts because he put them there! So I think God wants to lead us to the fulfilment of those desires, and we can cooperate or not, as we will. And I’ve found that when responding to a call to do something, even if I feel reluctant or apprehensive, it almost always leads to something that aligns with or fulfils my deepest desires. Praise God for the scenic route to things!
So, I've never read the series at all... and my husband actually re-read them this spring/summer for the first time since a kid! For some reason everyone is re-reading them at the moment?? He said he also read that Alan Jacobs essay, as he mentioned his love of HP is his book The Pleasures of Reading In an Age of Distraction.
All that to say, I am oblivious to anything Harry Potter but enjoyed the analogy! It's helpful to be reminded our desires are often the clincher in otherwise objectively "balanced" or "equal" choices.
How funny that it does seem like everyone is reading them this summer! I’d be curious to hear your thoughts if you ever do pick them up. (Strong rec for Stephen Fry as narrator since I know you like audio books!) Glad you enjoyed the analogy anyway. :)
Haha the scenic route! I love that image. I think so many of us are afraid of our desires because of a warped view of God and his will- what a blessing that your mom instilled a trust for His good design!
What’s the cost if I’m wrong… this helps me - as you say- try things at a “lower cost” sometimes. Like I don’t want to do the whole thing and have it go badly, but I’m willing to take a baby step and have it be not ideal.
Would love to discuss HP! I have new thoughts every time I revisit the series.