It may sound terribly trite and incredibly juvenile, but I am eagerly anticipating the release of the seventh and final Harry Potter book. In preparation for this, I purchased a soft-cover copy of the sixth book so that I could re-read it and familiarize myself with the plotline that leads into the conclusion of this tale. And, beyond what I readily-recalled (mainly, that Professor Dumbledore, Harry's mentor and protector throughout most of his life, had been killed), I learned much that I'm sure will be crucial information for this final book.

But what has really gotten me thinking is the relationship between Harry and Ginny, the younger sister of his best friend Ron. If you don't follow these books, a brief synopsis will suffice here: up until perhaps the 5th book, Ginny's role was pretty much the blushing-girl who was left speechless and embarrassed whenever Harry was in her proximity. It was only in part in the 5th book that she began to have a more defined character. And then, in the 6th book, she became what many had hoped: Harry's love interest. The two of them dated for a few weeks, only to be forced to separate due to the tragedy that occurred with Dumbledore's murder and Harry's subsequent realization that it has always been his destiny to cast aside everything and face his nemesis, Voldemort, to the death.

Now, far beyond getting misty-eyed about the relationship of 2 fictional characters, I am forced to reflect on my own life and my own dealings with the fairer sex. I have had a few girlfriends, but none of them have done for me what a woman is to be to her man, and vice versa. In all honesty, I have yet to find a woman who is meant for me, which is to be expected, as I am only 20 years old. But the sense of duty that Harry feels in regards to ending his relationship with Ginny...the feeling that he MUST do something that sucks and that hurts...that he must deny himself what he truly desires in order to achieve the greater good...I can identify with that. I can identify with the feeling that you are called to be above what is considered "normal." I have had to end a relationship with a girl who, much like Ginny was to Harry, was simply perfect for me...in seemingly every way. True, the relationship itself was not perfect, but the girl herself seemed to be exactly what God had planned for me. Yet the fact remained that it was undeniably-necessary, despite the fact that I loved her and wanted nothing more than to be with her, for me to put an end to the relationship. To be more specific would mean to divulge names and situations that are of really no consequence here.

My point in all of this is less about "woe is me and my dating life" and more about God's calling for us. It says, in Jeremiah 29:11, that God has a plan for us, a plan for our health and happiness. This plan, we are told, far exceeds what we may have conceived of ourselves. It is far beyond the temporal wants and needs that we seek to fulfill everyday. Instead, this plan is for our eternal soul to be eternally happy, to find its resting place in Him. For many of us, this plan involves marriage, children, Sunday dinners, mini-vans and 401Ks. For others, it involves vocations such as the priesthood, the religious life, missionary work. Regardless of the details, we must always be ready to forego our own visions, our own plans, our own desires, in order to do what God desires for us.

But we should not approach this selflessness as if it were a funeral procession; rather, we should rejoice in the fact that we have a God who not only knows us more intimately than anyone else will in our lifetime, but loves us so much that, from the time we were being knit in the wombs of our mothers, He has been eagerly awaiting the time in which we would turn to Him, in faith, and allow Him to lead us. I am struck by the image of Jim Carrey's character in the movie Bruce Almighty, endowed with the powers of God, leaping atop a table, stretching his arms out, pleading with his girlfriend, Grace, to love him. This image has always reminded me of Christ, ascending the hill to Calvary, stretching His arms out on the cross, all the while pleading with us to love Him. In the same way, God, like a child, is doing backflips and cartwheels and lighting off fireworks and noisemakers...all trying to get our attention, in hopes that we would turn to Him and let Him love us the way a Father should, leading us along a path that will hold all of the things that will fulfill our soul's deepest, most intimate longings.

In closing, I would like to ask all of you, if even for just a moment, to quiet yourself, close your eyes, and allow God's peace and joy to shower upon you. Let Him love you the way you were made to be loved: selflessly and without regard to tact.

God has a plan for each of His children. We must allow Him to do His thing. After all, if anyone knows what the heck they're doing, wouldn't it be the Guy who is known as the Creator of All Things?

Peace and blessings,
Matthew "Kujo" Kiernan