Basically the premise of the book is that the main character, Random, goes to Venus (called Perelandra) to prevent a second fall akin to the Garden of Eden. The world of Perelandra is a vast ocean with floating islands, where people live, that change their topography according to the ocean waves (they swim or ride large fish to different islands when they choose). There are many different types of fruit on different islands. Each of these fruits seems to taste like the best fruit on Perelandra when you are eating it. In the world there is a King and Queen (we don't meet the King until the end of the book). The devil comes to tempt the Queen in the form of a scientist named Weston who has found his way onto Perelandra then had his body taken over by a demon.
One of the themes of the book is that one sin that could befall Perelandra at this point is that of looking for a different good than the one that is given to you by Maleldil (God). They make this point in a couple of ways:
1. Once a wave has gone you cannot get another like it back, and the sinless Queen enjoys the wave when it comes then does not dwell on it when it passes (remember the island looks different with every passing wave).
2. If you become hungry and find a different fruit than you expected it is possible to ruin the fruit that was given to you by dwelling on the fruit you expected to have. The sinless Queen still has a momentary pause when she gets a fruit she did not expect but then is very grateful for the good fruit Maleldil has given her and does not continue to wish for the fruit she expected.
This has given me a very different view of my life right now. As many of you know I moved to Cleveland in August from Boston. Most of you also know that I love Boston and almost everything about it. The city is perfect for me, I don't need a car and can walk or take public transit basically anywhere I need to go. I have wonderful friends there that I know well and love. Basically it all just makes me feel right at home. I am not proud to admit that I have asked God a few times why we are in Cleveland when Boston is so clearly a city that was made just for me. However Perelandra & my recent trip has helped me to see this in a new light.
My time in Boston will always be very near and dear to my heart. I have many solid friends there and my trip this week was amazing because I got to spend a lot of time with many of them. However following God is not static and he has brought a new wave. It is not going to help me fulfill his plan for me if I dwell on the good things He's given me in the past and miss the good things He is giving me now. AND there are tons of good things He is giving me in Cleveland. I have made some wonderful friends who are becoming very important to me. I have gotten to form solid relationships with my brother-in-law & his fianceé. I have a job that I enjoy very much and I'm gaining wonderful experience in a variety of places. God is giving me good things and I can honestly say that I'm happy He's sent me to Cleveland. I will always be very grateful that He gave me time in Boston, but life with Jesus is not stagnant and I wouldn't want it to be. Who knows what the next good thing He'll give me is (could be back to Boston, could be anywhere else), but I expect I will be sad to see Cleveland go for many of its own reasons as well.
God gives good things to his children, what good thing are you missing?
Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
-Matthew 7:9-12
This is a great read (both Perelandra and your blog). I first read Perelandra in my early 20s and than a couple of times since. Each time fascinating and important, and different since each succeeding time I was older and had had more life experiences to draw upon. A Rev who spoke at our church last Sunday on Faith, talked about how Faith is an evolving thing, and that even "crises of Faith," far from being something we need to avoid, are to be expected and will happen if we are alive and continuing to grow. I agree. God is not static, and Faith is not static. Best to you Lyzz. Love Sue
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