Edward.  How can one name change so much?  For those of you who are not familiar with the Twilight book series, I will briefly attempt to explain all that is captured in that name.  He is glorious—beautiful, impossibly strong, eternal.  He also is in love.  Bella Swan has captured his impenetrable heart and has redefined his existence.  Now his world is loving her, protecting her. 

Why am I making so much of a vampire?  Because I believe that Stephanie Meyer captured the essence of our hearts’ longings in this book series.  Augustine wrote in his Confessions, “If those who are called philosophers . . . have said [what] is true and in harmony with our faith, we are not only not to shrink from it, but to claim it for our own use from those who have unlawful possession of it.” 

What is the truth that I am claiming for Christ found in Edward?  When I look past his status as a vampire, I see who Jesus desires to be to me.  I am often like Bella, unaware of my soul and in desperate need of love and protection.  Bella always feels safe when she is in Edward’s presence.  She feels like she can deal with life’s worst if he is there with her.  She trusts that he will rescue her, even from herself, and, just like me, she often doubts his love because she does not feel worthy.

I have found my Edward and his name is Jesus. I yearn for life past my mundane existence and Jesus shows me his glory.  I will have life as long as I am with him.  He loves me so passionately that he dies so that I won’t have to be away from him.  When I am afraid and don’t know how I’m going to make it through the pain, Jesus whispers, “I will be with you. ‘Nothing can separate you from my love.’” (Romans 8:39) And that is enough.  Like Bella, I know no heaven where Jesus is not.  It is still hard to believe that he loves me so much.  And I am not worthy to be chosen by him.  But that doesn’t matter.  He has chosen me  . . . and that is enough.  Thank you, Edward.  No, I mean thank you, Jesus.