Are we there yet?

Bob and I saw the movie, Arrival, on the big screen when it, well, arrived (…smile).  He’s a real heady sci-fi fan; that is, explosions in space are fine, but he prefers the more cerebral plots, and this flick definitely filled the bill.  If you haven’t seen it, no spoiler here.  Suffice it to say that the Earthlings must be very intentional and persistent in learning to communicate with this obviously advanced race of beings, even in the face of fear, opposition, and unrecognized danger from outside sources who misunderstand.

Bob loved it; I walked out with a migraine, but that wasn’t the movie’s fault. Despite the headache, I was still thinking about the subliminal message the next day, which is a sign of an effective flick.

In the plot, our communication/language expert, (expertly portrayed by Amy Adams, BTW), had to battle fallible preexisting ideas, contention among the other global leaders, and push herself way, W-A-A-Y out of her comfort zone trying to relate to those huge scary and shadowy figures, (who’s presence was actually meant for good, not evil), giving it all she had for eventual benefit of those around her. 

In other words, normal life.

Normal, that is, for authentic visionaries, for the ones who prefer to tenaciously pursue truth instead of status quo.  Rarely is an uphill battle easy.  You see, for our erstwhile heroine to cave in meant more than mere “oops”, but potential war and devastation.  All because of one misinterpreted word. 

Hmmm…

“Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets…So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it.”

Those italics are mine: “many times and in many ways” and “very carefully”.  God is still trying to get through, and without us taking the time to study and persevere, He is still misinterpreted, and not only is the total blessing package missed in many cases, the end results are horrific…and in many cases, eternal.

If ever there was a relationship that was worth all the time and effort and, okay, struggle, it’s that One.  And His presence is also meant for our good, not evil.

Thanks to Jesus, He’s no longer quite so shadowy or scary.

 

Hebrews 1:1; Hebrews 2:1   Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.