There are two kinds of people in this world: those who don’t like drama and those who say they don’t like drama.
There’s a reason cute Rom-Coms and sappy movies like The Notebook and Pride & Prejudice are such classics for a certain subsection of society. It doesn’t necessarily have to be innocent or have a happy ending. Many movies and shows based entirely on relational drama, shock appeal, and sexual escapades sell easily. The Bachelor/Bachelorette (with an astounding success rate of nineteen percent as of March 2023), Bachelor in Paradise, Love Island, 90 Day Fiancé, Jersey Shore, and Ex on the Beach are just a handful.
What’s the appeal?
Most watch these shows for the same shock appeal that makes us want to spill the dirty details of a close friend’s recent breakup. They are interesting, humorous, and have absolutely no chance of touching any parts of our personal lives. If you’re like me, these shows give you a reason to feel superior. After all, you’re not ruining your own life on national TV. It seems that so often the people who adamantly deny wanting drama in their lives are the same individuals who consistently find themselves in its grasp.
I like drama. There, I said it.
I’ve been a part of the ooo’ing and ahh’ing at “The Bachelor/ette” watch parties at friends’ houses with intentions of nonchalantly busting a gut at the people who have tossed their public image to the dogs for fame. Additionally, I’ve pushed friends to spill the beans on relational disputes in situations into which I had no business sticking my nose. And you can bet your house that I’ve embellished stories just to get a greater rise from my pals.
I think, if we’re honest, we can all think of a time we’ve been a part of senseless dramatization, creating spectacles out of boredom to add unnecessary intrigue to our lives.
The Divine Drama: God’s storytelling in scripture
But, hear me out. I believe intrigue and love of drama have been living in humanity since the dawn of creation. I think God is a big fan of drama. Just look at the stories of scripture and the people He calls to Himself. The grandiosity of the creation narrative shows his sovereign and restorative storytelling since the beginning of time: His heroic and last-minute saving of the people of Israel in the Old Covenant, Christ’s trial, crucifixion, and glorious triumph over sin and death, and His eventual return to finish the restoration and renewal of all things, including the New Heavens and New Earth. This doesn’t even mention the one-off beautiful stories of Samson, Esther, Hosea, Jonah, Rahab, Mary, Paul, Moses, Abraham, Sarah, Ruth, and Rachel.
God tells beautiful stories in ways that He can fold the many blemishes, downfalls, and blunders of the human race into something glorious.
Embracing our love for stories
Eugene Peterson said it well:
“Stories are the most prominent biblical way of helping us see ourselves in “the God story,” which always gets around to the story of God making and saving us. In contrast to abstract statements of truth, stories tease us into participating in what is being said. We find ourselves involved in the action. We may start as spectators or critics, but if the story is good (and the biblical stories are very good!), we find ourselves no longer just listening to but inhabiting the story.”
It’s okay to love stories. It’s fine to love “drama,” in the purest sense of the word. God gave us an appreciation for beauty and dramatic accounts of real things that happen. This of course doesn’t need to contradict the fruit of the Spirit. Causing relational ruckus or scoffing at the sexual intrigue of popular sitcoms doesn’t seem to mend well with “generosity,” “gentleness,” or “love” for that matter.
As Peterson’s words hint at, God has invited us into His great story of redemption in history centered around His Son. That’s a drama I’d love to gossip about.
Image Credit: Pamela Reynoso
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