Byzantium Stephen Lawhead
Aidan, a young Irish monk, one of the thirteen brothers who had chosen Byzantium for a long pilgrimage, where they would bring a gift to the emperor, a precious present. Aidan grew up in a convent and hasn’t been to many places, so he’s happy and excited about this opportunity to see the world. But the journey proved to be a disaster. Wolves in the sea invade the ship of the monks, and things seem to take a turn for the worse. Also, I don’t want to spoil it for you to summarize the spiritual side of Aidan’s long journey, which was equally fascinating to me. And at first Aidan is a perfect monk and a perfect Christian: he bears tribulations with wonderful patience, and endures hunger, captivity, and beatings without a word. Devoted entirely to God, trusting in all these things to be his purpose, even if he did not understand himself. But then Aidan’s faith is shaken. He still believes in God, but feels that God has abandoned him in his misery.
But a strange thing happened. Aidan’s faith declines, and his new friends, the Vikings he had previously tried to convert, seem to grow. Jes wants to hear more about this god, and when Aidan indignantly replies that this god is a cruel and idle god who is not worth praying to, the Vikings assume that God is really good, while Aidan wants to keep him for himself. (which part I loved!). However, Aidan continues his treacherous journey. Hate and thirst for revenge now burn in his heart instead. Nothing seems to be able to turn him around – and you don’t blame him for what you read. None of us would like to have our faith tested in this way. Let me just say that this story has been a true blessing to me in many ways.
