For years there was a wide
range of talk, opinions, even controversy over the book, ‘The Shack’, and then once again in 2017 when its movie was released.
I must admit that I was one of many skeptics who were quick to judge the story
line and its many characteristics contrary to what I’ve been taught through
biblical teachings. When in fact it is an allegory to get us thinking. Talking.
I placed God in a box without opening the lid to allow His creative ways to
flow out naturally as intended. In fact, I did so before even reading or taking
in this story for myself.
For one thing, how could
‘Papa’ (God) be portrayed as a kind colored woman when Papa is obviously male? Oh.
I could have missed it. For after learning of our main character’s past of
horrific physical abuse given by his father and now drowning in a sea of sorrow
from his beloved little girl being tragically taken from him in such a perverse
and evil way; it’s no wonder he needed a gentle and loving presence to ease him
into a journey that must transpire.
We are reassured that God is,
was, and always shall be with us. At times we lose sight of God and the love of
others when all we can see is our own pain. There is a mystery to be learned
here. “Despicable things happen. No one is immune. As long as there is free
will in the universe, evil can find a way in… God can work incredibly good out
of unspeakable tragedies. That doesn’t mean He orchestrates the tragedies.”, says
Papa.
So. This brilliant story of
distinctly colored threads of doubt, fear, pain, judgment and hatred; then
tightly woven into truth, forgiveness, redemption and joy has changed my life
along with the lives of countless others. It is a beautiful tapestry of
triumph. A tapestry of profound attributes of the human condition. And one that
every man can learn from.
