Last night I saw the lastest movie in the Twilight series and it made me think of Wolves. Countless females (of all ages) have joined the ranks of Team Edward or Team Jacob with the underlying question of who is best for Bella! I think there is a very valuable lesson in how we choose a mate. Some may be offended that I am using a vampire/wolf story line with scripture, however, the reality is that countless teens and women are following this story line and indeed it is shaping views of what love is!
First, let's explore what Edward has to offer. He is charming (he even sparkles in the light). He says he would give his life for Bella (and has come close). He loves her with a intense love. He has learned to control his vampire desire for human blood and only consumes the blood of animals. And, to top it off, he is a true gentleman and wants her to maintain her purity till marriage. Edward does have his limitations though. He doesn't have life blood running through his veins, so he can't provide Bella with the practical human need of body warmth when she is freezing to death. For Bella to really be with Edward she will have to surrender her life and become a vampire.
Jacob loves Bella also. Ironically, Jacob is a wolf and by wolf I mean a real wolf. Even though Bella has professed her love to Edward, Jacob still loves Bella and does his best to protect her even at the expense of himself. Jacob is a little rough around the edges and has a harder time controlling some of his emotions. Jacob still has life blood running through his veins, so he can provide Bella with the practical! He keeps her warm when she is freezing to death. For Bella to be with Jacob, she doesn't have to change. She doesn't have to give up her life as she knows it.
So what is the right answer? Each week I encounter Wolves and their spouse. The stories have a common theme. The Wolf was charming at first! They had this intense passionate love at first! Overtime, the spouse of the Wolf looses themself. Their world becomes one that revolves around the Wolf, his/her needs, wants, and demands. The spouse often feels like the life blood has been sucked out of them? Hmmmmmm?
The real questions are "Has Edward's nature really changed?" "Is he capable of unconditional love?" "Does Bella really understand what she is sacrificing to be with Edward?" To be with Edward, she has to go through the transition of being self-consumed by desiring human blood more than anything.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (Message Translation) says
Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.
Love doesn't strut.
Doesn't have a swelled head.
Doesn't force itself on others.
Isn't always "me first."
Doesn't fly off the handle.
Doesn't keep score of the sins of others.
Doesn't revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything.
Trust God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back
But keeps going to the end.
Team Jacob, what do you think? How does Jacob measure up? Team Edward, what do you think? How does Edward measure up? As much as I personally am drawn to the character of Edward, at my core I believe Jacob is the better choice. Bella's relationship with Edward reflects the modern day "romance addiction." In the long run, those type of relationships have ALOT to overcome. They usually don't last forever. Whereas, the "practical love" of Jacob has the ability to stand the test of time.
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