Do you know Calvin? He is a 1st grade boy living in suburban America with two parents and a tiger named Hobbes. Yes, a tiger! Hobbes helps Calvin jump off a six-foot ladder with a single helium balloon and an expectation to fly. They build the most elaborate snowmen. Together they fight monsters under the bed until those same monsters tempt Hobbes with fresh salmon. Actually, these two are the main characters in the comic strip Calvin & Hobbes created by Bill Watterson. Fun facts: Calvin is named after the theologian, John Calvin, and Hobbes is named after the philosopher, Thomas Hobbes. There is another character in the strip named after a character created by C.S. Lewis, but you can read the strip to figure out that one.
One of the main themes in the series is the mystery surrounding Hobbes and whether he is a real tiger. Even Watterson plays with this conundrum but never specifically answers the question: Is Hobbes a real tiger all the time or just Calvin’s imagination? Once we think he has solved the riddle for us, he throws us for a loop. For example, Calvin’s mom puts Hobbes into the wash, but Hobbes is later seen losing his balance due to the spin cycle. Or this one:
Watterson explains that his purpose in creating Hobbes was to portray the subjective view of reality. Calvin sees Hobbes one way, and everyone else perceives him another.
Calvin is so firm in his belief in who Hobbes is that it governs every aspect of his life, even his imagination. He is convinced Hobbes is a real tiger so he talks about him that way, he blames him for things a stuffed tiger could never do, and often makes tuna sandwiches for him. Even in the face of other humans mocking and calling his belief ridiculous, he will not bend. He argues with Hobbes, but he won’t ever argue with humans when they tease him for hanging out with a stuffed tiger. He never even considers an alternative point of view.
In fact, he talks to other humans as if they were ridiculous for not believing Hobbes is a real tiger! Calvin’s belief in Hobbes inspires me in my faith in Christ. I know I have done things I couldn’t possibly do on my own apart from Him. (Have you ever tried to forgive someone on your own?) I want my belief in Christ to govern every aspect of my life. I want faith to inspire my art, my point of view, my meditation, and my interactions with other humans. God is real. I believe I am talking to a real Person when I pray. (Hebrews 11:6) He will never abandon me. (Joshua 1:5; Deuteronomy 31:8) Jesus Christ walked this earth and gave his life in exchange for mine. (John 3:16) I believe these things. I want to be sure to keep my feet planted firmly on this foundation of faith. (1 Corinthians 3:11) Unlike Calvin, I don’t maintain my faith in Christ all by myself. I have Holy Spirit to empower me to believe, to understand, to obey. He enables me to stand firm in my faith no matter the situation.
John 20:31 NIV – But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Response:
* Write down things you believe about God. Find Bible verses to support them.
* Think about a time in your life when your faith in God was tested. How did you respond? Who or what encouraged you?
* Do you know someone who is struggling? Find a Bible verse to write on a card for them or pray it over them.
~ Stephanie Rogers, writer
~ Janet Mueller, photographer
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