Imitation, A High Calling

   We went to a movie last evening, a movie in a film series that a group brought to the Island, one that we probably would not have even heard of unless the Brunswick News had not written about it.

   The film concerned a family of five on vacation in Thailand when a tsunami hits and their subsequent struggles with life and trying to find each other in the midst of all the suffering. It has no Christian theme, but it does have its redeeming moments

   A lot of people died in that true story, but the film does not dwell too much on that. The family is separated, the father with the two youngest boys and the mother with the oldest son, neither group knowing what has happened to the other and fearing the worst.

   I thought about that as I read these verses in The Message this morning, from Matthew 5:

“You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that."

   The movie is about the living and how this tragedy brings out some of the best in each.

   The translator of The Message, Eugene Peterson, adds this to the above verses, as a part of Jesus' dialog:

“In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.”

   In the story, the mother lies in the crude hospital, seriously injured, with her oldest son by her side. As she fights for her life, and the son tries to be there for her, she tells him to go help others, that he has a gift for seeing other's needs and he ought to use it right then.

   He does, and many others feel the touch that his young life can and does give them. He shows those desperate people, that someone cares, and this caring brings reunions that bless those that feel the results and see the outcomes.

   I like those words at the end of that passage:

 "Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.”

   Live generously and graciously toward others. God does and I should.

   Self, get out of the way!

   There is much to be done and much life to be lived, outside of mine.