Julia, the girl we love to hate.

** SPOILER ALERT**

Each character in A Voice in the Wind represents a different way of thinking, during Roman times, but also during ours. Marcus was an Epicurean.  Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die!  Julia went one step further and was a Hedonist, devoted to pleasure and self-gratification as a way of life, not counting the cost until she thinks it’s too late.  Julia was an “it’s all about ME” girl. 

Sadly, there are many in our culture today who reflect both of these lifestyles, and like, Marcus and Julia, condemn everyone who believes and lives otherwise. 

I wanted readers to hate Julia.  I wanted them hungry to see her ruination.  I wanted them feel a little pity, but also feel she deserved what she got.  Why?  Because all too many people, including Christians, feel that way when faced with blatant, unrepentant sinners who despise God and want Him removed from every public forum.  We can become very self-righteous, like the praying Pharisee in the Temple looking at the tax collector and thinking, “Thank God, I’m not as bad as he is.” 

Human beings hate easily.  Our hearts are evil.  And Jesus sees the heart.  He knows the reason He made us and what He made us to become.  He sees our potential.  Love, agape love, is an attribute of God given to us through Christ, our Redeemer, and the indwelling of His Holy Spirit.  Julia, selfish, cruel, vicious, was made for a higher purpose.  Hence, I wanted Julia to be ushered into Heaven by angels.  Yes, it was a last minute decision, but God, in His amazing grace and mercy sees life not as the few temporal years we have on this planet, but as eternity

When Julia dies her story is just beginning.