Supernatural

I really like the TV show, "Supernatural". Before I continue with this post, let me make it clear that I am NOT recommending the show to you. I really don't know if you would like it or not. Its definitely not a Christian show, though I have been learning a lot from it. But again, that's just me...I have no idea what you would think of the show.

The show started 4 years ago, and originally it was just basically scary movie cliches each episode (I like scary movies). The basic (VERY basic) story behind the show is that its about 2 brothers who fight evil. They battle against the evil in the world that most people don't really recognize as evil. They can see the evil in someone, but recognize that its not the person, its the evil inside of them ("We battle not against flesh and blood...").

When the second season started, the show began to explore the back story of the brothers' lives. Why do they fight evil? How do they know things that others don't? Etc.

The third season really started to ask the question, if there is evil...then is there good? Neither of the brothers believe that there is a God, but in this season they started to see that there was more to the battle than just them and the demons.

That brings us to this season, the one that is really increasing my faith (I know, sounds ridiculous, but its true!). This season, they introduced angels...angels who serve the Most High God and are an integral part of the battle. Like I said, this is NOT a Christian show, but each season seems to line more and more up with scripture. (In the first season they would hold crosses and speak in latin to get rid of demons....totally ridiculous. Now they are looking to a "higher power" that is necessary to fully defeat the evil).

Okay, so how is this TV show increasing my faith? Well, each week this show explores the hard realities of good vs. evil. It doesn't sugar coat it, or make it seem simple or pretty. Its dark and gritty. It gives me a visual of what is going on in the spiritual realm. Its kinda like the Left Behind series, or Frank Peretti's books. It's probably not exactly what is happening, but it gives me a picture to take the the scripture...and it brings me closer to the Lord.

Last week's episode really opened my eyes. Last week we were introduced to a prophet. This guy had no idea that he was a prophet, but he was. He goes to sleep at night and has intense dreams that he doesn't understand, but has to write down. He feels alone and rejected, but can't stop the dreams...and can't stop writing what he sees. He doesn't even understand what he is writing, has no idea that he is writing about real people...he just writes.

After watching that episode, I spent some time reading through the Old Testament prophets. They didn't understand what they were writing, they just wrote what they had to write. They longed for the understanding that we have today. They didn't see their prophecies fulfilled, they just wrote what they saw.

Being a prophet wasn't a happy go lucky thing. They were despised, rejected, hunted and even killed. They didn't live lives of luxury, often they were secluded and crying out to the Lord, not understanding what was going on. They were absolutely honored by God, but certainly not by men.

I don't know why I never really pictured it that way, its so clear in the scriptures that the prophets struggled and suffered. Yet, I really didn't see it until this TV show gave me a picture.

I am surrounded be evil. There is so much sin, addiction, anger, struggle...just evil all around me. Its so easy for me to get caught up in what I can see and forget about the battle going on that I can't see. The battle that I must always fight...but will never fight alone. I know its weird to say that I am learning all of this from a TV show...but I suppose the Lord knows the best way to get my attention. :)