Lessons from the Wingfeather World (Part 2): Of Love and Scars

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*** This post contains spoilers ***

In my last post, I included how Janner learned he is a Throne Warden, the most esteemed job in Anniera, despite being in a position of serving his younger brother. The second book in the saga, North! Or Be Eaten, follows Janner and his family as they attempt to travel to the northern lands to avoid the cold-blooded, reptilian Fangs. However, much to their dismay, they learn that wolf-like creatures, called Grey Fangs, inhabit the colder parts of Aerwiar.    

The Boy and the Wolf

During the harsh journey to the icy North, many adventures occur, including the heroic death of a beloved character. Toward the end of the book, Tink (Kalmar) finds himself lost and alone because of impulsive choices. Transformed into a dreaded Grey Fang, Tink’s future seems bleak. However, his uncle saves him and reunites the boy-pup with his family as they escape on a ship headed for the Green Hollows.   

Upon arriving on the ship, Tink awakens but does not remember his identity. His transformation into a Fang was not complete, as his uncle rescued him before he was successfully melded. Although he is still the boy he was on the inside, he looks like a grey wolf on the outside. The Kimeran crew of the ship think he is a Fang and attempt to kill him. In fear of being attacked and confused about his identity, Tink jumps overboard.

At that moment, Janner rises to his role as Throne Warden. He jumps into the icy water to chase after his brother.

Peterson’s description of the scene is vivid and emotionally raw:

“Too cold to think, he grabbed a handful of fur and pulled it near. Claws raked his skin. He felt Tink’s teeth again and again, but held his brother close. When every desperate gasp filled his lungs with water, he hugged the Fang to himself with all his strength. The sea turned red with Janner’s blood” (322). 

Even as his brother scratches and wounds him, Janner holds onto his brother. For the rest of his life, Janner will bear the harsh scars of lovingly protecting his brother that day.

Loving Others Even When It Hurts

While the story North! Or Be Eaten is fictional, the image of Janner lovingly holding and protecting his brother even as he is scratched and bitten rings true. Those we love the most in life are often those who hurt us the most. The truth is, with love comes vulnerability.

C. S. Lewis describes this well in The Four Loves when he wrote, “To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one.” The more we open our hearts to others, the more chance we have of being hurt. Like Janner, we might feel as if we bear the scars of those who have hurts us even as we lovingly try to help and protect them.

If we know Jesus, though, we will continue to love others even when it hurts. We continue to pour out our hearts and very being for others because of Christ’s love. No greater act of love can compare to Jesus laying down His life for us (John 15:13). If He can love us in the darkness of our sin, then we can love others – even when it hurts.  

We Love Because He First Loved Us

1 John 4:19 says, “We love because he first loved us” (NIV). While we were still enemies of God, He showed His love for us by sending His Son to die in our place (Romans 5:8, 10). Christ endured the sufferings of being whipped, beaten, and humiliated (John 19:1-5). Even after all that, He was nailed to a cross to die a criminal’s death that He did not deserve (John 19:17-18). His scars on his hands, feet, and side in His resurrected body prove that He loves us. He loved us when it hurt the most.

In dying for us and raising from the dead, Christ paid the price for our sin (Galatians 3:13-14). He offers everyone the gift of salvation if they choose to trust in Him (Ephesians 2:8-9). In dying a death He didn’t deserve, He secured for us a salvation that we don’t deserve. God offers us His mercy even though we are His enemies: sinners unworthy of His grace.

Because of His unmerited grace and love, we can love others. People might fight against us and hate us, but we should choose to show them the love of Christ. He responded in love to those who hated Him. Jesus knew He was going to die for us – the very people who rebel against Him. This is why He taught the disciples to “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you” (Luke 6:27-28, NIV).

Even though there is a risk of getting hurt and having our hearts broken, we can choose to extend love to others. In doing so, we imitate our Lord and Savior, who died for us while we were still sinners.

Works Cited

“C. S. Lewis Quote.” Goodreads, https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/3058-to-love-at-all-is-to-be-vulnerable-love-anything, accessed 06 Aug. 2022.

Peterson, Andrew. The Wingfeather Saga: North! Or Be Eaten. WaterBrook, 2009

The Bible. New International Version. Zondervan, 2011. Bible Hub.

 

***Note: In this post, I discuss loving others even when it hurts us. This refers to the fact that we expose ourselves to the potential of having our hearts broken if we love others. I am not referring to abuse, nor do I endorse remaining in an abusive situation. If someone is in an abusive relationship or situation, they should seek help. To access hotlines and resources, please visit Victim Connect Resource Center.