By SHARON CASTANG

ote: This article may contain spoilers for those who have not watched “Bird Box”.

“Listen to me. You’re going on the trip now; it’s going to be rough. If you hear something in the woods, you tell me. If you hear something in the water, you tell me. But under no circumstances are you allowed to take off your blindfold.”

With these words, Malorie (Sandra Bullock) instructs her two children about embarking on a journey in Bird Box (2018). Bird Box is a horror film in which a deadly creature, also known as the Presence, takes on one’s worst fears and, if anyone sees the Presence, they end up dying. To avoid the creature, Malorie, her two children she named Boy and Girl for the majority of the film, and several others keep on a blindfold to survive and protect themselves from harm. In their journey to a safer place away from the Presence, Malorie’s two children are to report at any time whether they sense the Presence.

Christians are no different in their quest to remain safe and feel secure in the presence of God. In our walk with Christ, we may come across evil or danger that threatens our safety and well-being. Such danger was evident in the days of Noah, when God told him that, because of the rampant evil in the world, He would send a flood to destroy the earth.

“The Lord saw that the wickedness (depravity) of man was great on the earth, and that every imagination or intent of the thoughts of his heart were only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5, AMP). God told Noah to build an ark to hold some of every kind of living thing, and Noah obeyed. Because Noah was a righteous man, and was building an ark with his family, we can assume that some people mocked and ridiculed him and his beliefs. However, Noah held on to his faith in God and kept building the ark until waters did come to destroy the earth. He relied on the voice of God to stay safe.

We can be assured of safety through the presence of God. Perhaps we can remember the nativity, when Jesus became incarnate and took on our humanity to demonstrate the love of God to His beloved creation. “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the word was God . . . And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us . . .” (John 1:1, 14 NKJV).

Jesus was called Immanuel, “God with us,” meaning His presence prevailed then and even now.

Isaiah 41:10 reads, “Fear not, for I am with you. Be not dismayed, for I am your God, I will strengthen you, yes I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (NKJV). David expresses his relation to God in a profound way: “He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:3, NKJV.

How do we hear the voice of God to stay safe? We must read the Scriptures, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal what God is telling us through the Scriptures, and have faith that He will guide us in our circumstances as they relate to His word. As Romans 10:17 reads: “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (NKJV).

In Bird Box, Malorie accidentally gets separated from the two children and has to find them. She finds Boy but can’t find Girl, and the suspense builds when she keeps calling out to Girl to find her. Girl is about to take off her blindfold, but Malorie convinces her not to. Earlier in the film, Tom, Malorie’s love interest, tells Boy and Girl about all the wonders of the outside world, but Malorie thinks it impractical to tell them about the euphoric experiences of the world rather than reality and survival. It’s not just a story…because I have so much I want to show you. I have so much I want you to see. But we have to do it together.”

Malorie needed to reassure Girl that listening to her voice, even when the future is uncertain, will lead them to much, much more worthwhile things than they could ever imagine.

This reminds me of Jesus’ reassurance: “Do not let your heart be troubled (afraid, cowardly). Believe [confidently] in God and trust in Him, [have faith, hold on to it, rely on it, keep going and] believe also in Me…” (John 14:1, AMP).

“In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (Verses 2-3, NKJV).

If the children stayed with and listened to Malorie, then they would be safe. Just as Malorie served to guide and protect her children through adversity and assured them of that if they listened to her, God’s rod (protection) and staff (guidance) comforts us daily. If we stay in the presence of God and discern when He speaks to us, then we will be safe. Regardless of our experiences, we can rest assured that He will show us the path of life and that in His presence is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11). We will find peace of mind and confidence in future outcomes in life. Listen to God’s voice, and you will certainly find contentment and safety in His presence.

SHARON CASTANG, is an arts enthusiast. She is a published poet and has served as a magazine editor, Mass Poetry’s Program Assistant Intern, and a member of an Oakwood University art collective called Art ‘n’ Soul.