The Important People
Susan and I made it back last night from our weekend getaway in Ft. Worth to catch much of the Academy Awards -- unpacking the car and preparing for the next day while the commercials were on.
There is so much hype about this annual event that is watched by a billion folks (which elicited some pretty clever T.V. commercials). And everything seems so glamorous and exciting. Either during or after watching this event, do you ever feel that these film folks are doing all the important stuff while what you do for a living doesn't feel all that significant? Me, too.
Hey, I love a good film and am glad that filmmakers put out some really good products (and then there are the many movies that I'll avoid due to their gut-wrenching violence, as were two of the movies that won most of the awards last night). Susan and I went to the opening night of "Amazing Grace," a very well-done movie about the steadfast opponent of slavery, William Willberforce. I HIGHLY recommend it and thank God for Christian producers like Ken Wales who fight to put on the screen such redemptive stories.
But I need to fight this tendency to be jealous of high profile folks, especially creative ones like those we saw last night. And to recognize where true significance is found. The words of Jesus brought me back once more to His heart and His priorities:
If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will find true life. (Mark 8:35)
And so I keep seeking my significance in Jesus and give myself over to Him to use me however and where ever He wants to use me as an ambassador of the gospel. It may be high profile, or it may be in obscurity. And yet if you and I let His Spirit work in us to do His good and perfect will, how can w not be used to make the kind of impact on this world that pleases Him.
Even if most of the world doesn't seem to notice or care. But Jesus does. And He will hand out some amazing awards some day to His faithful followers. Awards that will last much longer than an Oscar.
Jim
posted by Jim Clark @ 8:00 AM
11 comments
11 Comments:
I'm often jealous of the documentary filmmakers who get to travel the world telling untold stories. They are like investigative journalists with cameras. Truly fascinating work.
Of course you know that your work is meaningful and significant. I think there's a difference, though, between coveting a filmmaker's lifestyle or even his/her job and a deep stirring inside you to follow your dream of making films. I see the latter, not the former, in you, Jim.
I'm not sure the "dying to self" verse is telling us to squelch those things in our lives that bring us life and fulfill our deepest callings and passions. Not sure what you want to do with this, but it's food for thought...
Hmmmm! Guess there is another reaction to the prancing and back patting that goes on at the Oscars. Also, the openly political bully pulpit grinds at me.
I see excessive - in dress, in jewelry, in pandering to obvious powers that be such as Jack Nicholson, Lafeeta, the three directors that gave out the director's Oscar. They all seem to know where the bodies are buried. What else could explain the fawning over the first two, in particular?
One of the excessive expressions that bothered me most was from the best actor, Forrest Whitaker. He began wonderfully, glorifying God for his rise out of East Texas poverty to the Oscars. But when he said "...and I'll take this into eternity with me too!" I was somewhat perplexed.
The the definitely most outlandish statement was from DeGeneris at the close of the program, when she crowed, "And I want to put this out there: If there weren't blacks, Jews and gays, there would be no Oscars," she said, adding: "Or anyone named Oscar, when you think about that."
May I suggest we all read and study a book called "The Marketing of Evil" by David Kupelian. He shows us and documents the outright battle plan of those marketers of evil to change the hearts and attitudes of Americans and by extension, the world, to accept all forms of deviant behavior as acceptable.
Can we really reach out to people if we are unaware of the Accuser's tactics? This book changed how I react to media output around me, including the Oscars but not exclusive to them.
Whew! I'm off the soap box now. Gotta take care of this nosebleed. ;)
Sorry, Jim. I pray I haven't highjacked your entry.
Amen, Jim. Thank you so much for this encouragement!
Many of these films were intensely political, Kathy. How could politics be avoided in such a venue? Also, Ellen's statement about "blacks, Jews, and gays" is ... well ... sorta true!
I appreciate your critique, though, I really do. The excesses are hard to miss. To me, though, it underscores the need for thousands of missional Christians to work in Hollywood, subversively making a quiet impact where they are. We need not fear Hollywood ...
Jim,
It is in our obscurity where Jesus uses us. Not many "important" people are called. Over and over, Jesus did the impossible with the improbable.
He fed thousands with a boy's humble sack lunch. He changed the face of humanity with a rag-tag group of men, when he could have chosen to stand in front of Ceasar and PROVE to him that he was the Son of God.
I will never find my significance in what I can do, because apart from him I can do nothing. My significance comes in what I allow him to do with me, as you said.
If and when I place myself in his hands, there is freedom in the knowing that the clay decides neither what it will become nor for what it will be used.
I'm like you, Steve. Would love to make documentaries. Maybe you and I could make one some day.
Good observation about Jesus' words -- almost the same words that that spiritual mentor in San Diego told me last year. Listen to your passions and heart.
I keep looking for those open doors, and in the meantime am starting to make some local DVD's. One on missions and Highland. And have some planned for the Service Center.
And amen -- we need more Christ-following filmmakers, producers, actors/actresses. And to pray for the hearts of those in Hollywood.
Although I must say that Ellen annoys me...and frankly, didn't do that great of a job. Billy Crystal, where are you?
jim
Hey, Jimbo!
You may not appreciate what my reaction is to your post today, but, here 'tis: Hollywood is one of the most sycophantic and insecurely windy professional clubs in America. While there may be some talented and genuinely well-meaning members of this club, the games that must be played and the manipulation going on in human lives are both elements of a lifestyle that is not Christ-like. The lists of events such as the Academy Awards where the club members stroke their egos continue to propagate and spill over into the rest of society. Both my husband and I are great film buffs, and enjoy the genre and its artistic make-up on several levels, and we are always the last couple to remain in the theatre watching to the end of all the credits. And both of us have worked and still work in what some would describe as the ‘entertainment’ business (how much of my life has been trying to convince some folk that I have a ‘real job’?) But at the end of the day, we know what the realities of the business are, and more importantly, we know who we are. So the answer to your question, ‘do you ever feel that these film folks are doing all the important stuff while what you do for a living doesn't feel all that significant?’ is a resounding no! :)
A person’s profile, no matter whether high or low, or even a career or ‘real job’ should NEVER be the defining factor in who we are. I’ve learned it can get us into trouble, or it can place us on rabbit trails and paths leading away from the spiritual journey God created for us. And some day, for some of us, an illness like dementia or arthritis or old age will take us away from our life’s work. What is the importance of being significant then?
Okay, ‘nuff said, sorry for the sermon. Don’t let preening events like the Academy Awards getcha ya down. Ya don’t need to cradle a little bitty slick, nekked and bald, faceless guy in your hands to know you’re loved by many, and that God loves you! ;)
With regards to ‘Amazing Grace’ hope you don't mind but below I have 'borrowed' from my comment to Steve Jr's great blog review on Wilberforce (:http://www.harvestboston.net/)
Thought you might appreciate the following links along this subject:
Melvin Bragg has been presenting his usual brilliance with this current series on Wilberforce, on BBC Radio 4:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/history/inourtime/inourtime.shtml
In addition, we have been uplifted by the series of Sunday Worships BBC Radio 4 has been broadcasting on this same subject. Here's the link for this as well (you can download and listen again):
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/programmes/sunday_worship/
Also, Churches Together in England and BBC Radio 4 have been featuring this great Bible Study for this Lent season, 'Set all free'. The following link will take you to the site where you should be directed to the study/leader's resources (.PDF files)
http://www.setallfree.net/
Our parish begins the study tomorrow night. If you get time to look at all this, hope you will be as blessed as we have been!
Love ya!
Oh, and Jimbo, just for clarification, hubby and I watch films with clothes on, meaning we're not buff at the theatre, and, oh dear, you know what I mean...!
;)
Great movie. Well done and wonderful message.
Deb:
Love your perspective (and yours, too, G-Ampa C). You bring us back to Jesus and what He says about what REALLY counts in life -- loving Him and loving others in His Name.
I work with a group of mainly elderly volunteers who serve the poor week in and week out -- in obscurity. With joy. Jesus living in them is a beautiful testimony of the expression of life in Christ, the abundant life. Quiet. Unnoticed and unknown by most of the world. But seen by the Father in secret. Their rewards are coming...and have already come from the Father in the joy and love they're experiencing in the "All ready but not yet" kingdom.
By the way, Susan and I also stay in the theater to the very end of a film (always curious about what a standby painter is). Not until the trademark sign appears in the final frame and the lights go up do we stand up and leave. The only other ones left in the theater are the workers sweeping up the popcorn on the floor and filling the trash cans.
Deb:
Love your perspective (and yours, too, G-Ampa C). You bring us back to Jesus and what He says about what REALLY counts in life -- loving Him and loving others in His Name.
I work with a group of mainly elderly volunteers who serve the poor week in and week out -- in obscurity. With joy. Jesus living in them is a beautiful testimony of the expression of life in Christ, the abundant life. Quiet. Unnoticed and unknown by most of the world. But seen by the Father in secret. Their rewards are coming...and have already come from the Father in the joy and love they're experiencing in the "All ready but not yet" kingdom.
By the way, Susan and I also stay in the theater to the very end of a film (always curious about what a standby painter is). Not until the trademark sign appears in the final frame and the lights go up do we stand up and leave. The only other ones left in the theater are the workers sweeping up the popcorn on the floor and filling the trash cans.
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