THE POWER OF FICTIONAL WRITING.

Even thought this story JLS, is inspirational the story line is about a lone seagull who goes from being with the flock to suddenly leaving his flock, in order to take up with some different kind of birds. (that mentor Jonathan) I find it strange I never read this famous book from the 70's.

Jonathan had to fight the pressures of socitety [the norms' of acceptance in fitting in] to finding his own niche in his life.  Something so meaningful and took on a personal meaning to him.  He found his passion.  Is that not what we are exhorted to do.  What is your passion.  Your message you live and carry!


The controversy was that it was giving a spiritual lesson to millions of readers [see the power of writing!] Christians apparently were offended by the book because a fictional story was being used as a spiritual guide for so many. Just like many other fictional books today. The biggest kicker was that Jonathan [the seagull] actually ascended into a heavenly realm without having to go through the suffering and death that is the foundation of their religious beliefs. Most interesting.

Because Jonathan spends so much time perfecting his flying form, [prophetic] instead of concentrating on getting food, [the Word] a seagull is ostracized by the rest of the flock.
 
Excerpts like: "Then, as he spoke, his feathers went brighter and brighter and at last turned so brilliant that no gull could look upon him." upset Christians.   I think of Moses who went up high in the mountain top to be with God and came down with his face glowing so brilliant he had to veil his face.


Jonathan's parting words grasps the heart and soul  "Keep working on love!"

Bach, the author, takes us up in the air and teaches our spirits to fly, showing that people don't need airplanes to soar....ahhhh  that is happening in the Body of Christ today...

"This short story tells the about the hidden truths behind the daily chores of our lives... that we undertake without the slightest thought provocation. The story is an excellent morale booster and acts as a guiding light for anyone who is wanting and committed to progress to the next level in the ladder of life, be it with your work place, your private life, spirituality... anything... you can relate the book to it, and it will turn out to be an eyeopener... as you start to think about the experiences that you can relate to the book. The primary aim of the book is to get the best out of you, in any field, because if one looks under the several layers of things that we are playing upon, it all boils down to the hidden punch line of this book..."[McKenzie Study Center] 

There is a message in the story to encouraging yourself and to be strong and courageous, to go onward,
and forward, and upward,  when things are tough, hard and sometimes appear bad.  Interpretation belongs to each personal reader.

"Jonathan Livingston Seagull was one very frustrated bird. More than anything Jonathan wanted to fly fast--the faster, the better. But he had a problem: he was a seagull, and seagulls have certain physical limitations; at best, they can only fly fifteen to twenty miles per hour. After struggling for quite some time to fly faster than a normal seagull, Jonathan discovered a secret that enabled him to go beyond his physical limitations. He learned to press "power" into his wings with his mind.``  Press in, have faith, only belive, don't doubt...  ``He perfected this technique, his body seemed to change before his very eyes: he began to glow, and he could fly faster than he had ever imagined. Jonathan soon met other seagulls like himself and learned more secrets.``  Perhaps these are the other prophets..  just throwing that out there. ``He learned to stop thinking of himself as trapped inside a limited body with a forty-two inch wingspan. He began to understand that his true nature lived everywhere at once, across space and time. Jonathan knew no limits. He could go anywhere he wanted--the past, the future--whenever he wanted, as fast as he wanted.``
Oh wow and we are hearing and seeing that being taught in the body of Christ today... "COME UP HERE"  


The story of Jonathan Livingston Seagull illustrates many of our culture's beliefs about spirituality. And many in the evangelical community share those beliefs. They believe that God has given them the Holy Spirit, who is always there for us to empower us to rise above their moral and spiritual limitations.

The book doesn`t hold the TRUTH or all truths,  but it does hold some truths. 
And let us not lose sight that it is a fictional story  - which bring me back to my orignial thought - ``Wow, see the power that even fictional writing has on people!``

I rather enjoyed this! 
I will remember this next time I am studing seagulls! 

Searan

P.S. Yes, that is my picture I took of the seagull`s eye.  It has been formated in special effects on my Microsoft Photo Editor.