I suspect I am like many other people in relationship to their youth versus their adulthood. When I was in high school the idea of reading Shakespeare and others of his ilk held about as much excitement for me as watching grass grow. I can remember “reading” The Merchant of Venice in 10th grade English. Can you say B-O-R-I-N-G?. I must also confess a somewhat naive understanding of a book called Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. I took one look at its length and shuddered. Then I watched a scene from the movie during my Wild at Heart men’s study. But, it wasn’t until I was driving back and forth to PA during my mother’s last days on earth that I listened to Les Mis on CD. I was fascinated! So I read the book. Well, not THE book but an updated version of it. 🙂
What a story! You are probably familiar with it. Jean Valjean is the chief character. We find him being denied shelter at several establishments because he is a convict-freed-but still a convict in the minds of the people. A kind priest gives him lodging and Valjean returns the favor by stealing from him and running away. Caught running he is returned to the priest where the priest is given a chance to accuse him of theft. Instead, he not only says he gave the silver to Valjean, but also tells him he forgot the silver candlesticks. Valjean is dumbfounded by this grace shown by the priest and is then commissioned to return that same favor to others. Mercy would have dropped the charges, but the priest takes it a step further. He takes the polar opposite approach by actually rewarding Valjean for what he had done! This throws Valjean into a “complete tizzy.” He couldn’t believe someone would act that way toward him.
Along with the exposure I had to LesMis in the past, I also borrowed the musical as it was recorded in New York. Part of Valjean’s lines were these:
“One word from him, and I’ll be back
beneath the lash, upon the rack.
Instead he offers me my freedom.
I feel shame inside me like a knife.
He told me that I have a soul…
Is there another way to go?”
The answer to the question Valjean asks is, “Yes.” By God’s abundant grace…Yes! Valjean actually skips his parole hearing and goes off the grid until Inspector Javert finds him-quite by accident. But Valjean keeps his promise to the old priest who gave him another chance. His life is changed forever, and he, in turn, helps turn others’ lives around.
In reality, all of us who are followers of Christ are in the same boat as Valjean. We have been shown grace to give grace. But we also have our Inspector Javert’s. (Another post this week).
Have you ever read LesMis? What is your take on it?
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