Underlying Truth?

Last night we watched one of those films set in a fantasy world where spirits and magic are possible.  As the plot unfolded, I was struck with some of the points where the underlying reality of our world peeked through.  I believe that, regardless of the culture, there is an understood underlying reality to this world which is perceived, but expressed in a wide variety of ways.  Self-sacrifice for others, a sense of goodness when not popular, courage in positive expressions, defying powerful evil, and so on form windows where this underlying reality peeks through.

But the fundamentals of this reality rarely make it to the surface.  Focus on created things instead of the Creator, communing with spirits instead of the Master of spirits, using images of dragons rather than doves, and reliance on personal power all obscure the fundamentals of this reality.  What would it be like to have a story with a different sort of character and plot?

Imagine a story where the main character may be able, strong, courageous, and even considered powerful, but where this person communes with the Maker and Sustainer of the Universe, faces challenges in faith that whatever the outcome the Maker will be glorified, and, while able to fight, knows that the battle belongs to the God of All.  What would happen to our stories if God were a major Character, where His plans, activity, and power were the underlying truth, and the climax was where they came to the forefront and He received the glory of being the Main Character?  What if it were God who defeated the Terrible Evil, not one of us?

Stories can be found in abundance of people facing an impossibly powerful evil and triumphing over it.  But really?  How powerful are we really?  What if God only asked the character to stand against, not triumph over the evil?  What if in the courage and integrity of the character they seemed to loose, only for God to show up and save the day, demonstrating Real Power as He vanquishes the evil completely, no sequel?

Such a story formula could be in any setting, contemporary, science fiction, or fantasy.  Such a story could have normal heroes, powerful heroes, or even weak ones; young, old, male, or female.  Such a story could be told over and over, changing the "window dressing" but always prominently displaying the King of Kings at the end.

Hmm.  Another blog idea?