Stay with me for a second. Many times, my writings are only the musings in my head and don't make much sense until I can sit down and sort through them. I appreciate your patience.
Rewind to 1997. Jack and Rose boarded a ship called the Titanic. The unsinkable vessel that ultimately became a death ride for many that were headed to the Big Apple in 1912. The film scored more nominations for James Cameron than any other in its time, and although Jack and Rose were fictional characters, the set of the production was made in the true likeness of the actual ocean liner and many facets of the movie could be considered aligned with the real way the boat went down.
This is how [in my mind] I can compare "Risen" to the actual story in the Bible. There are many things that are Biblically based, all with the Jack and Rose story line. Were Jack and Rose real people on the boat? Probably not. Like "Titanic," the main character "Clavius," a Roman tribune, seeks to find out the truth of the Messiah by investigating the mystery behind the vanished body. Yes, there is mention of Roman soldiers in the tale of Jesus' crucifixion in the Word, but none to the extent that the Kevin Reynolds, writer, portrays.
Clavius is Jack and Rose, and like the Titanic truly sank, the Biblical teachings about our Risen Savior are true. During the movie, there is a scene in which Clavius sits on the peak of a hill during the early morning with Yeshua and the intimacy that is shared between the once-skeptical tribune and the Son of God is breaktaking. The scene is a reminder that we are all Clavius, in a way. If given the chance to encounter the Risen Savior in human form, what could we possibly say? Something tells me that His magnificence would overpower any will we had to ask questions, but instead put us in a state of awe.
That He would die for us. Infeasible.
For years, I have thanked God for making me a mom. It truly changed my life and brought the definition of "myself" to a whole other level. It has truly been my gift from God, amongst other things. I will never understand how some people can encounter the beauty that is new life and not walk away changed. Whether they are a mom, dad, grandma, mia, nana, aunt, poppy, paw paw, grandpa, adopted mother, adopted father, etc. When given the opportunity to help raise a child, it truly is life altering. Your life changes and unless you chose to depart from the situation, you. are. changed.
But is this understanding of our "myself" definition possible in any other way? Yes, beloved. Because such as the way that becoming a part of new life changes us, being given new life through Christ is so much more. And once we have truly encountered it, we can never be the same. Even if we falter, which we will. Even if we start to question it, which we may. Even if we forget all that God has carried us through, which we will, we are still changed.
In the end of the movie ("Risen," not "Titanic"), the disciples start to depart from the sea of Galilee and the Roman tribune is left with a decision; will he go with them to tell the world about the miracles he has seen, or will he turn back and go a different direction? I am not going to spoil the movie and reveal what he really does, but this analogy can be said for any of us. Will we chose to press on knowing what we know to be true about the Son of God, or will we continue to walk in the other direction?
Maybe you are reading this and asking yourself what in the world I am talking about. Maybe you have been hurt and you are carrying a burden on your shoulder and feel like this "good news" that I speak of can't possibly pertain to you. Maybe you feel like God has somehow let you down: you didn't get the promotion at work you wanted, you are burdened financially, you have yet to become a mom or dad and that resonates in your heart. Beloved, I know that pain. I have made many mistakes in my life that I have brought upon myself, but also had things happen that weren't my fault. I know pain, trust me.
\. I know what abandonment feels like, I know what betrayal feels like, I know what it feels like to not know what the future holds. And that is scary!
But I also know what it is like to know that no matter what my life has seen, or will see, that I have a promise. A promise that I will never be alone. I will never feel the burden on myself like my Savior felt for me. He knows my name, and it is written on His heart. Life will always have difficulties and strife, but when we know that we are loved like a mother or father love their baby, we are never alone.
Isaiah 49:16 Can a woman forget her nursing child and have no compassion for the son in her womb? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you. Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands. Your walls are continually before me.
Father God, my Savior Jesus, Holy Spirit,
Who am I without you? What would you have me do? I am imperfect in so many ways. I sin in so many ways. Please reveal to me what displeases you. Forgive me. Give me eyes like the One who opened mine. Help me to see the hurting and to lift them up to you. Please keep my heart full of love in such a heartless world. And thank you for my gift. I don't take it for granted, and will never be the same because of it.
All yours,
Sarah
Sometimes the truth comes to us in the comparisons of ourselves to others. Other times they come to us as we observe the beauty of God's Perfect plan through His son Jesus. The amazing thing to me is that whichever route we take, we will choose (sometimes without realizing it) to become either victims or victors; seekers or those who seek the wrong things. You (my darling daughter) have sought the right things that have transformed you, and you are now spilling over into the lives of others, the treasure of Jesus!! I rejoice with you!! Dad
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