What Kind of World Are You Living In?

Growing up, I was practically an only child. My brother was born when I was seven. I lived in a town with one friend because I attended a school in another town. Needless to say, I had plenty of time to myself.

I filled this time by entering and exploring fictional worlds. I traveled to Ant Island, Monstropolis, Treasure Planet, Hyrule, and the Pridelands.

Looking back, those worlds helped form me. Each one taught me something about the kind of man I wanted to become. Stories have a way of shaping us, whether we realize it or not.

The lessons of Coraline are best understood when compared to another fictional world: Narnia.

Coraline and Narnia offer many parallels. Both stories center around a girl entering a door that leads to another world. Both worlds have their own architect: the Beldam and Aslan. Both worlds offer challenges that develop the protagonist.

Yet the key difference is the purpose behind each world.

Why were they created?

What did their creators hope to accomplish?

The Beldam's World

The Beldam creates a world perfectly designed to please Coraline. It has the best food, the most exciting neighbors, and anything she could ever desire. Every wish is anticipated and fulfilled.

It seems to be heaven on earth for Coraline.

However, Coraline knows that something isn't right.

The world she is experiencing isn't truly designed to please her. Coraline can sense this truth. The Beldam is shocked that her trick isn't working, and Coraline eventually tells her why:

"I don't want whatever I want. Nobody does. Not really. What kind of fun would it be if I just got everything I ever wanted just like that, and it didn't mean anything? What then?"

Coraline knows the secret of the other world.

It is simply a trap.

A scheme to seal her soul away for the Beldam.

The World Aslan Built

While creating Narnia, Aslan created a true world full of adventure. Aslan established order in the world but allows people and animals to make their own decisions. He comes and goes, granting freedom to those who live in his creation.

When Lucy stumbles into Narnia, she is met with a world that will challenge her. During her adventures with her brothers and sister, they face dangers, suffer setbacks, and share in great victories. Sometimes Aslan intervenes to help, but other times he allows them to struggle because his ultimate goal is their growth and development.

When Lucy leaves Narnia, she is a better person. She has gained great virtue and merit as a Queen of Narnia.

Interestingly enough, Coraline also leaves the other world a better person. They took very different paths, but both were better.

One world was designed for growth.

The other was designed for consumption.

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Lessons from Two Worlds

A couple of lessons to take away from this.

First, we must be vigilant not to take the path of comfort. While it may appear as heaven on earth, it may, in fact, steal our souls as the Beldam does.

We are not meant for comfort in this life.

We are meant to be saints.

The second is that regardless of the path we take, God can work with our choices to form us. Coraline should not have entered the door. She put her soul in great jeopardy and nearly lost it multiple times throughout the story.

However, her choice did teach her a valuable lesson.

While we may not always take the best path, that does not mean God cannot work with us.

Challenge

This week, identify one area of your life where you are choosing comfort over growth.

Maybe it is prayer.

Maybe it is exercise.

Maybe it is a difficult conversation you've been avoiding.

Maybe it is a responsibility you've been putting off.

Then take one concrete step toward growth.

The Beldam offers comfort without purpose.

Aslan offers growth through challenge.

Ask yourself:

Which world am I choosing to live in this week?

Next Week

Next week, we'll turn our attention to one of the most fascinating figures in Scripture.

His story is filled with triumph, failure, and a deep relationship with God.

We'll explore what his life can teach us about faith, leadership, and the human heart.

Forge Ahead

Anvil: the place of formation.

Arrow: the mission we're sent on.

The world needs more men formed in virtue. Forward this to a brother who's ready to grow.

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