Real or Not Real?
The hook in the final episode of The Hunger Games is one question. Asking it changed everything in the story. It can work for us too.
In Mockingjay, a novel by Suzanne Collins and now the final part of the movie series, The Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen is the reluctant warrior called the Mockingjay, the poster child for a rebellion against the Capitol and its leader, President Snow, a sophisticated and alluring enemy.
While fighting for freedom, Katniss has a battle in her soul over two brave young men who love and are loved by her.
One is named Peeta Mellark, and her love for him was bred in friendship and common trials. He’s from her home, District 12, though from a more affluent area. They became the first duo to win a Hunger Game when they forced that option on the Capitol by being willing to die together instead of trying to kill each other.
In their second Game, Peeta was captured by the Capitol and then “hijacked,” a brutal form of torture and brainwashing that reprogrammed him to fear and target Katniss. The Capitol transformed him into their newest weapon to kill her. They manipulated his understanding of reality. His love became hate. His desires for her became their desires against her.
Ultimately, Peeta was rescued and brought back to Katniss and the other rebels, and they soon realized his condition. He was with them, but his handcuffs revealed their necessary distrust.
In a dark, dusty, blown-out building, the soldiers rested, and Peeta admitted for the first time that the poison the Capitol fed him still feeds his mind. He can’t figure out what is true and what’s false as his love begins to re-peek through the cracks of his hijacked heart.
Finnick Odair, whose girlfriend, Annie, was similarly tortured and rescued, said, “Just ask. That’s what Annie does.
Just ask, ‘Is this real or not real?’”
If we fast-forward a bit, we come to an endearing scene when emotions are high and confusion is higher. Peeta remembers Finnick’s advice, and he whispers vulnerably to Katniss, “You're still trying to protect me. Real or not real?”
Katniss looks at him with settled eyes and replies, “Real.” She clears the fog and rekindles their story: “Because that's what you and I do, protect each other.”
“Real or not real?” It’s a good question. Especially when the forces against us are so pervasive and persuasive.
Our world is controlled by its own Capitol with a leader, our Enemy, whose greatest weapon is to hijack our understanding. We need what we have: a Mockingjay who knows what’s real and what isn’t.
We need Jesus Christ, our warrior, our hero, who’s not reluctant to fight for us but who doesn’t force us to join his rebellion. Since our perspective is often cloudy and unsure because of the Enemy’s propaganda, we must continually ask and receive the answer to the critical question—Real or not real?
As we travel along our normal days, we encounter life-shaping axioms and need to determine if they are real or not real.
It’s worth the time to pause and answer the critical question after reading each one.
There is a God.
Only one God exists, and he’s revealed in history as recorded in the Bible.
Each person is created by God in his image and, therefore, is valuable.
Each person is created to experience an incredible life, significant and satisfying.
An incredible life isn’t free from pain or trials; we often discover the best of life in suffering.
We’re known by God intimately.
We can know God personally.
God is love. His actions never contradict his character.
Our choices to sin separate us from God and his goodness.
We each willfully sin.
We can receive forgiveness (salvation) for all our sins (past, present, and future) and be restored to a personal relationship with God.
Salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
To receive Christ’s salvation, we must ask him for forgiveness and choose to follow him.
Jesus was a human being who was also deity in the flesh.
Jesus lived a perfect life and died intentionally and horrifically on a cross as a payment for the sins of everyone.
Jesus was resurrected from death to life, now lives in heaven, and one day will return visibly to consummate his plan and establish a new heaven and earth.
Everyone will die (unless Jesus returns first) and continue to exist in heaven or hell based on each person’s decision to receive or reject Jesus’s offer of salvation.
Only one book is inspired by God and contains his will for our lives.
The 66 books of the Bible are each inspired by God and the only documents he intended to be in our Bible.
Worship of God is a privilege and responsibility of every human being.
Character transformation into Christlikeness is necessary to flourish.
Character transformation into Christlikeness is a process for which each person is responsible.
Character transformation into Christlikeness comes as we submit each area of our lives to the Lordship of Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit after salvation.
We flourish best in relationships.
Sexual intimacy is beautiful and delightful, a significant part of our human experience.
Sexual intimacy is only suitable and experienced to the fullest in a marriage between a man and a woman.
Science is a useful tool for understanding the universe and all its parts.
Science can’t provide answers to our ultimate questions.
Science and Scripture don’t contradict each other; they complement.
The best happiness can’t be found through earthly pleasure, possessions, prestige, or power, even though the Enemy flaunts those before us.
Many versions of Christianity are perversions of the real deal. The real deal is about grace and truth, relationship over rules, and is revealed in Scripture, not created by preferences.
Excellence at work and school are productive ways to express spirituality and faith; we best fulfill our callings when we leverage our talents and creativity in the marketplace and ministries for the good of others and the planet.
Every job can be a ministry.
The love of money, not money, is the root of all kinds of evil.
Selfish ambition is the way of the world and the worst way to live in the world.
God loves us unconditionally.
We’re at our best when we love other people unconditionally.
We can never do anything to make God love us more or less.
The purpose of the church isn’t to build programs or buildings but to make disciples who make disciples.
Disciples are followers of Jesus who live the life he would live if he were us.
We glorify God best by experiencing and sharing the incredible life God has planned for us.
Pastors serve people; they don’t use people to serve themselves.
Pastors equip people; they don’t do all the ministry for people.
We can do amazing things, more than we can ever imagine.
Our uncultivated imaginations, limiting beliefs, or lack of faith in God stifle us with fear and remove our zest for adventure.
God can forgive us for abortion, adultery, tax evasion, and all other sins.
Forgiveness removes guilt and shame; no one should live with shame.
We’re responsible for helping the marginalized, fighting for justice, and giving a help-up to the poor.
We each have a limit where too much stuff is too much.
God doesn’t tell us everything to do, but when speaks, he expects us to do it.
God’s commands aren’t options. They’re also not bullying.
God often gives us the freedom to choose things like our careers, marriage partners, places to live, churches to attend, and hair color. His will often includes the joy of choice.
Prayer is a piece of our relationship with God, not simply a duty.
Telling people about salvation in Christ should be done lovingly and with permission.
We should forgive every person who hurts us.
We’re wise to restore our relationship with everyone who hurts us only if we believe they’ve become safe
Grieving is a part of growing, and we never grow beyond our need to grieve.
Generosity is the overflow of a God-filled life.
Our circumstances don’t control our joy.
As Jesus taught, the Christian life is the best life and the only one that will take us where we long to be.
I believe these maxims are true, as I see them in the Bible. But each of us must decide for ourselves. Are these statements real or not real?
Our answers will impact our decisions, and our decisions will determine the trajectory of our lives.
Don’t get hijacked.