Messenger: What is Important In Our Lives?

For our whole lives, we are constantly reminded and advised to be good. But somehow, without realizing it, we might have fallen victim to the devil's whisper. In the book Messenger, we are introduced to the community where Matty and Christopher, Kira's father, lived. It's a community built by outcasts, and they welcome everyone with kindness. They are considerate and sincere, and they always try to help anyone in need. Unfortunately, with the presence of the manipulative Trademaster, who was actually evil disguised as human, the people lost track of what’s the most valuable things in their lives.

Matty and nearly everyone in the community was envious of Rowan and his family, who had traded for a gaming machine. They thought that they would be happier if they had it. What they didn't realize though, was that Rowan and his family became more and more unhealthy. It reminded me of the avid and addicted gamers. They spent hours playing their online games and some had become so addicted that they disregarded their health both physically, emotionally, and mentally.

Mentor, the community’s school teacher, exchanged his kind self for a fit body and a handsome face so that he could marry Stocktender’s widow. He thought that he couldn’t win the widow without outward beauty. It’s also such a common notion nowadays, and we have this kind of “trade". Many people are insecure about their looks. Beauty clinics, weight loss programs, and plastic surgeons have mushroomed to help people with physical insecurities. Some people would even go into debt and ruin their health in order to be able to achieve their goals. All for the sake of feeling confident and appealing. The importance of inner beauty is forgotten.

Evaluating what are the most important qualities in our lives and societies is very crucial. We should never give up our true selves for the sake of others and materialistic enjoyment. We might be too late when we realize that the results have corrupted ourselves. Matt had to sacrifice himself to heal all the corrupted souls in the Village. Don’t wait until you have to pay a very high cost for your ignorance. Do not lose sight of what matters most.

The third book of The Giver quartet