Community, freedom and faith – three themes that permeate Suzanne Collins’ “The Hunger Games.”
I just finished reading the novel, and can’t wait to see the movie tomorrow night, though it may be gut-wrenching to watch teenagers die at the hands of one another.
I’ve gotten mixed reviews from a number of people about the book and movie in general – some have said, “How can you be okay watching children kill children?,” and others have said they are terrified that the movie represents what may happen to us in the not-so-distant future, if government were to go insane.
One of my friends said she felt like the film was “hopeless” – as though it was depressing because there was no hope that God would come save the children involved in the games, and they had to rely on themselves completely. Which is true. But, this made Katniss’ story all the more powerful – her displays of sacrificial love for her sister and valor in volunteering to take the spot as tribute in the death games were powerful reminders to me of our duty as believers to prepare ourselves for battle each and every day. As Paul writes in Ephesians 6:
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”
This article from Relevant Magazine is pretty insightful, bringing to light the three themes mentioned above – community, freedom and faith – three things Christ came to show us in full, and that Katniss plays out in her battle to survive:
Relevant Magazine: Let the Hunger Games Begin