A Lesson on Achieving from Harry Potter

One of the more advanced tricks of a magicians trade in Harry Potter is the ability to apparate. That is, the ability to disappear from one location and appear in a completely different location — also known as teleportation.

I typically do not geek out on stuff like this, and throughout the entire Harry Potter series I wasn't impressed that adult witches and wizards could apparate as a mode of quick travel. However, in the sixth book of the series, when it was time for Harry and his classmates to learn how to apparate, my interest was piqued.

This ghostly teacher named Twycross, a man that looked like he was in the process of apparating himself right out of physical reality, explained to the students that if they wanted to learn how to apparate they would need to become well acquainted with the three D's.

1. Destination: "Fix your mind firmly upon the desired destination."

2. Determination: "Focus your determination to occupy the visualized space! Let your yearning to enter in flood from your mind to every particle of your body!"

3. Deliberation: "Turn on the spot, feeling your way into nothingness, moving with deliberation!"

If you read my blogs regularly you know why this would catch my attention, and where I am headed next.

The 3 D's of apparating apply to much more than fictional teleportation, but these rules are important whenever someone is trying to accomplish something great or small, or become a different kind of person.

The first D, destination, is none other than a vision that one has of a different kind of life. The more captivating and clear the vision, the more likely it will be to cause someone to begin moving towards it.

This movement towards the vision begins with determination, it begins with one deciding or intending to do or be what is required to fulfill the vision. Many projects have begun with little determination. The vision or destination was not very compelling or realistic, therefore the level of determination was not sufficient enough to carry a person through the muck and the mire—the resistance—that always comes when moving towards a destination.

If, however, one has a compelling destination in mind, and the determination to get there, then one will be able to move with deliberation in the direction of their destination. The vision and intention to get there will be so powerful that one will use any helpful means to keep on making progress towards their goal.

Is this not true of life with God? This is why the renewal of ones mind is so important, because it keeps the vision of Christ and the Kingdom of God in front of a person with increasing clarity. And as a person sees that kind of beauty, they will desire it with all their heart and take the grace-filled steps to realize that vision.

This is how preachers read Harry Potter. How do you read it? Let me know in the comments section.