I have been leading a Bible Study this spring called, R(edemption) Rated. The basis of this study is to view some films (many of which I could not use in my teaching during worship due to thematic elements or pure length) and see how God's Truth shines forth. Our small group has viewed movies from all genres, providing unique opportunities to explore the Scripture and see how God might just be working in our own lives.
Last week we were watching scenes from the 1991 Billy Crystal comedy, City Slickers. During one scene toward the end, one of the characters said, "We're lost, but we're making great time." It got some chuckles, not because it was a terribly funny line, but because it dripped with truth.
So many of us, if not all, know exactly what that line is all about. In life, we are all searching for something: significance. We try to find it in so many different arenas, we find ourselves sounding like Eddie Murphy's impersonation of Buckwheat from a classic episode of Saturday Night Live, "Wookin' Pa Nub In Aw Duh Wong Pwaces." Looking in such wrong places leaves us feeling empty and lost until we find what we seek. Unfortunately, we cannot find significance in anything we can own, possess, or manipulate, but when we turn our lives over to the One Thing we were created for: a relationship with God.
Saint Augustine said it well at the start of his Confessions, "God, you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in you." We can only find the significance in life we seek when we realize that we need God. So often we look elsewhere hoping against hope it's something we can do or achieve on our own, but we just can't. This leaves us feeling like Phil from City Slickers saying, "We're lost, but at least we're making good time."
All this searching can leave us tired and weary, so I have some good news – stop. Stop right where you are and ask the Lord to help. The reason this works without fail is because of a great mystery of faith: God is actually seeking you! Jesus said in Luke 19.10 that he came to seek and save what is lost.
I remember being a child and going to Six Flags with my parents. It was a crowded day and my folks gave me a lesson I'd never forget. If for some reason we get separated, don't go looking for them; just stop and know that they will be looking for me. They will find employees, security guards, and anyone else possible to help them in their search. So if I got lost, all I needed to do was stay right where I was and let somebody know I needed help.
This same lesson can apply to our spiritual life as well. Just like Jesus said, he is out looking to find and save those who are lost. He has rallied together those who believe in Him to help in the mission. If you are lost, stop running in circles trying to make sense of it all. Wait on God and allow His love to bring meaning and significance to your life. It can happen. It will happen. While we might be "Wookin' Pa Nub In Aw Duh Wong Pwaces", God knows just where to find you.
So slow your pace and rest your restless heart. Allow yourself to be found, because God is actively looking for YOU!
Last week we were watching scenes from the 1991 Billy Crystal comedy, City Slickers. During one scene toward the end, one of the characters said, "We're lost, but we're making great time." It got some chuckles, not because it was a terribly funny line, but because it dripped with truth.
So many of us, if not all, know exactly what that line is all about. In life, we are all searching for something: significance. We try to find it in so many different arenas, we find ourselves sounding like Eddie Murphy's impersonation of Buckwheat from a classic episode of Saturday Night Live, "Wookin' Pa Nub In Aw Duh Wong Pwaces." Looking in such wrong places leaves us feeling empty and lost until we find what we seek. Unfortunately, we cannot find significance in anything we can own, possess, or manipulate, but when we turn our lives over to the One Thing we were created for: a relationship with God.
Saint Augustine said it well at the start of his Confessions, "God, you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in you." We can only find the significance in life we seek when we realize that we need God. So often we look elsewhere hoping against hope it's something we can do or achieve on our own, but we just can't. This leaves us feeling like Phil from City Slickers saying, "We're lost, but at least we're making good time."
All this searching can leave us tired and weary, so I have some good news – stop. Stop right where you are and ask the Lord to help. The reason this works without fail is because of a great mystery of faith: God is actually seeking you! Jesus said in Luke 19.10 that he came to seek and save what is lost.
I remember being a child and going to Six Flags with my parents. It was a crowded day and my folks gave me a lesson I'd never forget. If for some reason we get separated, don't go looking for them; just stop and know that they will be looking for me. They will find employees, security guards, and anyone else possible to help them in their search. So if I got lost, all I needed to do was stay right where I was and let somebody know I needed help.
This same lesson can apply to our spiritual life as well. Just like Jesus said, he is out looking to find and save those who are lost. He has rallied together those who believe in Him to help in the mission. If you are lost, stop running in circles trying to make sense of it all. Wait on God and allow His love to bring meaning and significance to your life. It can happen. It will happen. While we might be "Wookin' Pa Nub In Aw Duh Wong Pwaces", God knows just where to find you.
So slow your pace and rest your restless heart. Allow yourself to be found, because God is actively looking for YOU!
1 comment:
You quoted Augustine, Jesus, Buckwheat and City Slickers in the same blog - that's talent!!
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