A Biblical Look into Twilight: The Meadow

I intuitively knew - and sensed he did, too - that tomorrow would be pivotal. Our relationship couldn't continue to balance, as it did, on the point of a knife. We would fall off one edge or the other, depending entirely upon his decision, or his instincts. My decision was made, made before I'd ever consciously chosen, and I was committed to seeing it through. Because there was nothing more terrifying to me, more excruciating, than the thought of turning away from him. It was an impossibility.
Bella in Chapter 12 of Twilight

We have explored Bella and Edward separately, so it is time to explore their relationship together. I would describe their relationship, at this point, as exciting, consuming, unequal, alive and fresh. They have spent a few weeks getting know each other through endless conversations at school. (I love that their relationship is being developed through face-to-face interactions and not via technology.) Bella now knows the truth about Edward's existence, and she has made the choice to pursue this relationship - despite the cost. Edward has also made his choice, but his internal struggle with the decision seems weightier for him than Bella.

The most famous scene in the Twilight book happens in chapter 13 (Confessions). Edward takes Bella to his favorite place in Forks, and they spend the entire day together. As Bella stated in chapter 12, the day in the meadow would dramatically change their relationship. They progress on several levels. First, the physical aspects of their relationship progress to skin touch and kiss. Before this time, Edward had been very hesitant to touch Bella because of his cold skin. And kissing seemed impossible because the physical chemistry between them seemed to only fuel Edward's animal thirst for Bella.

Second, Edward reveals himself in his true physical form. He shows his skin in the sunlight, his speed in running, and his strength in the woods. Edward has lived a life of being ostracized from humans, yet he offers his vulnerability to Bella. It is a beautiful thing. Lastly, Edward attempts to reveal his mental struggle with the relationship. He tries to explain the severity of his temptation to Bella and shares how he tried to fight off his feelings for her in the beginning. While explaining his own personal hell, Bella likens herself to heroin for an addict. And Edward responds, "Yes, you are exactly my brand of heroin."

In the real world, I believe that most girls would run for their lives at this point in a relationship with a vampire. But Twilight is not the real world, and that's why we enjoy it. Bella receives Edward's gift of vulnerability and returns with her own simple confessions of love to him. Stephenie Meyer accurately captures the physically charged atmosphere of a budding romance. Bella and Edward seem to move at a snail's pace in the physical department, but the reader is able to understand the power and intensity of physical contact. When we move too fast through that process, we miss out on enjoying the simple process of it.

Bella and Edward are able to move their relationship to the next level in the meadow by revealing their hidden selves and understanding the true identities of the other person. Relationships built on the surface don't survive the bumps and twists in the road, and Bella and Edward need to dive deep into this relationship to survive what lies ahead in the Twilight saga. Building a relationship on true identities is a real concept for us as Twilight fans. Any relationship - whether family, friend, romantic or spiritual - can only survive when the two people are speaking the language of their hearts. That requires time and a lot of communication.

When we look at our relationship with God, He has also spent time revealing Himself to us through His creation, His Word and His Spirit. God pursues a relationship with us, not because He needs it. The Creator of the universe wants a relationship with us. Yet He asks that we offer Him our vulnerability. He already knows everything about us (Psalm 139), and God still loves us. He wants us to be honest with Him about our true selves, warts and all. This is foundational in building a healthy relationship with God. Otherwise, we will spend our time with Him trying to hide who we are rather than letting Him change our hearts. In the Twilight book, we see how the relationship between Bella and Edward changes after the meadow, a time of truth and revelation. Imagine how much more our relationships will change if we take off the masks in front of our Immortal Love.

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better. Ephesians 1:17, New International Version