Lessons from the Wingfeather World (Part 1): A Servant's Heart

 

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*** This post contains spoilers about The Wingfeather Saga ***

    The Wingfeather Saga is a popular series of books by author, singer, and songwriter, Andrew Peterson. Embedded in the books are strong themes of family, love, and sacrifice. Each book is filled with adventure and fun as the characters grow and the story unfolds. While the stories have a great deal of light-heartedness at times, there are also serious scenes that are gripping and emotionally moving. Both adults and children can easily connect to Peterson’s fantasy saga.

    Over four posts, I am going to delve into parts of the four Wingfeather books, discussing impactful themes and takeaways.

An “Ordinary” Boy Discovers He is Royalty

    In the first book, On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness, readers are introduced to the Igiby family living in Fang-infested Glipwood. They appear to be a normal family: three siblings, a mother, and their grandfather. However, their world changes after the annual Dragon Day festival. Janner, Tink, and Leeli find themselves flung into a dangerous adventure involving the mysterious jewels of Anniera. More importantly, they learn the truth about their past. Far from being ordinary, they are the “Jewels” of Anniera, the last of the royal family.      

    Obviously, this would make Janner the future King, right?

    No, that’s not how things work according to the royal traditions of Anniera.

    Janner learns he is the Throne Warden, the protector of his little brother, Tink. All his life his mother (Nia) and grandfather (Podo) told him to watch over his siblings, to protect them. He longs for freedom, for adventure, but learns that as the Throne Warden, he is always tied to his brother as a protector. For a twelve-year-old boy, this is startling news.   

    Feeling jealous and mistreated, he imagines a “lifetime of fretting over his reckless younger brother and crippled sister, while Tink reigned and Leeli did – well, whatever she wanted” (Peterson 267). The idea of protecting his younger siblings, especially Tink, who enjoys getting into mischief is an overwhelming thought. At one moment he is consumed with thoughts of being the king, but in the next finds he is only a “servant.”  

The High Place of Servanthood

    Nia, their mother, recognizes her eldest son’s struggle with understanding the importance of his role as Throne Warden. She turns his head toward her and tells him: 

“It is no small thing to be a Throne Warden of Anniera. They have been sung about by bards for a thousand years and are accorded a place of honor like no other kingdom – like no other king – in the world – not because they’re lords, but because they’re servants. There were many days when your father wished he were a Throne Warden and not the High King” (Peterson 267).

    Here, as in many places in the series, Peterson carefully chooses his words. He specifically elevates the Throne Warden, the role of a servant, to the highest position in the kingdom. Yes, the King has a place of honor in his role of leadership, but no position can match that of protector, guardian, and servant. The greatest honor in Anniera, even the entire world of Aerwiar, is that of a servant.

    The theme of servanthood recurs throughout the series of books as Janner struggles with his job to protect his younger siblings, specifically Tink. Gradually, Janner learns that being a Throne Warden is an essential task. In fact, it turns out to be the most important job. As Janner’s father, Esben, tells him in a letter, “The Maker made you the Throne Warden” (Peterson 274). The role of servanthood is not a mediocre job, it is a divinely appointed role.    

Jesus: The Suffering Servant

    Servanthood is the highest position. Such a statement might seem strange to many readers. We are told by media and culture that the greatest roles in society are those of leaders, politicians, or celebrities. However, the Bible flips this idea on its head, as it often does. The ambitious individual striving for power and control may gain leadership positions and prominence, but they will not have the highest role according to God.  

    Jesus told His disciples, “whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant and whoever wants to be first must be your slave” (Matthew 20:26-27, NIV). Those who humble themselves and take the role of a servant are those who are exalted and declared to be “great.” A person who has a servant’s heart is seen as the greatest in God’s Kingdom.

    Why does Scripture say this?

    Because Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords, but He came as a servant (Isaiah 53:1-9; Mark 10:45). He humbled Himself and submitted to death for our sake so that we could receive salvation (Philippians 2:5-8). God the Son willingly laid down His life to offer everyone eternal life (John 10:11). As Christ said, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28, NLT). Servanthood is the highest position because our God and Savior took on the role of servant.

Serving Others with Our Lives

    Like Janner, many of us assume that the greatest and most important positions and roles are those of power and significance. But, Jesus tells us that those who want to be the greatest in His Kingdom are those who humble themselves and take the role of servant. Whenever we sacrifice our time and resources to help others, we are walking in servanthood. If we choose to be overlooked or unrecognized in our service, we are taking the role of a servant. In so doing, we are following our Savior. No greater role exists than laying aside one’s own interests and needs for another.

    There is no greater expression of love … but that’s a topic for another post.

Works Cited

Peterson, Andrew. The Wingfeather Saga: On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness. Waterbrook, 2008.

The Bible. New International Version. Zondervan, 2011. 

- New Living Translation. Tyndale, 2015.

Further Resources

To learn more about The Wingfeather Saga, please visit the official website.

Also, if you want to watch a short film based on the books, check out this video or visit Angel Studios to learn more about the first season of The Wingfeather Saga TV series, coming Winter 2022/2023.