Written by Michael Worrall

Stories have great power to shape the way we think, feel, and imagine. They place us in circumstances in which we may never find ourselves otherwise. They play out the effects of decisions that we may never have to face.

Saving Private Ryan made me imagine the horrors of war.
Blood Diamond showed me the relentless love of a father.
Whiplash warned me of the dangers of boundless ambition
Lion moved me with the sorrow of relational loss & the joys of reunion.

Those are only the movies that came to mind. There are many more stories that have formed my imagination. In her book On Reading Well, Karen Swallow Prior says, “The stories in which we are immersed project onto our imaginations visions of the good life—as well as the means of obtaining it. We must imagine what virtue looks like in order to act virtuously.”

What stories are you immersed in?
What vision of the good life do they project?
How are they helping you imagine virtue and vice?

Here is week 9 of Quarantine Corner:

Listen: Liz Vice

Liz Vice makes music that fits somewhere between Gospel, R&B, and Soul. She has a voice that is effortlessly strong and a knack for writing thoughtful lyrics over catchy melodies. I would give a few noteworthy songs to start with but, truthfully, you can’t go wrong.

Read: “George Floyd and Me” by Shai Linne

In this article, Shai honestly and vulnerably answers an email he received from a white sister in Christ after George Floyd’s death. Shai allows the reader into his thoughts, emotions, pains, fears, and hopes. In the process, he opens the door for readers to understand and respond in compassion and empathy. I would urge you not to miss the open door, but to enter in and listen.

Watch: Knives Out (Amazon Prime)

Knives Out is a twisted and whimsical “whodunnit” that will draw you in as you try to put the pieces together. Along the way it vividly reveals the corrosive effects of greed and self-interest.

Bonus Listen: Jude 3 Project podcast

The Jude 3 Project exists to help the Christian community know what they believe and why they believe it. Podcast host and Jude 3 Project founder, Lisa Fields, interviews guests on a wide range of topics such as: leadership, friendship, mental health, apologetics, and many more. Find a topic that sounds interesting or just pick an episode and jump in!