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Advice
I rarely give advice anymore, having as rarely heeded my own.
The Old Testament, Judges 14. It tells the story of Samson and the Philistine woman who catches his eye. He tells his parents to get her for him. Not understanding it is the Lord speaking through their son they try to dissuade him of his desire, wanting him to take a nice Hebrew woman. But Samson insists. "Get her for me, for she pleases me well." Likely his hormones are raging. As likely the woman is a priestess in the worship of Astarte. At the time Philistines had dominion over Israel. Also at the time, unlike the Hebrews bringing in their desert god, the Philistines would have been given to fertility worship.
Walking through the vineyards of Timnah, in route to talk with the girl, Samson comes upon a young lion. He has no weapons. He rushes the lion. With his bare hands he tears the lion asunder. After meeting with the girl he returns to his parents' home. Some time passes, Samson still thinking of the girl. He decides to make his way back to Timnah and take her. He notices the dead lion's carcass. In its mouth there is a swarm of honey bees with honey comb. He takes of the honey comb and eats a portion of it while walking, saving what remains for his parents. He had not mentioned his encounter with the lion, nor now will he mention how he came on the honey.
Samson takes the girl as his wife. He holds a festival for all the young men in celebration. On the occassion he poses a riddle, promising a gift of thirty linen garments and thirty festal garments for anyone who can solve the riddle. But no one does. This was the Lord's message working through Samson.
Out of the eater came something to eat. Out of the strong came something sweet.
Christians call Samson's actions going to the roar. It is the lesson they take from the story. Going to the roar and the prize is invariably something sweet.
That is my advice to writers. Especially to those inclined to self-censorship, or who feel stoppered in some way, or who are intimidated by the act of writing. And what for the writer is the roar if not expression itself? Even more than experience the roar is expression. Samson doubts his desires as little as he doubts he can vanquish the lion.
Tere
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Oct/22/2011, 3:50 pm
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Re: Advice
Good story, Tere, interesting application.
Chris
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Oct/25/2011, 9:26 am
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Re: Advice
Thanks, Chris. But think on it. In what walk of life does the story not have application?
Tere
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Oct/25/2011, 6:20 pm
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