Life and the Movies!

I've always loved movies/TV shows because they can be stress relievers but also sometimes a lens into other kinds of lives; for example, the life of a medical doctor (possibly, movies aren't always right about that, but still one can learn a thing or two from them. :) Over time, however, I have come to admire and marvel at the intentionality of moviemakers. It has actually helped me realize how much movies and life have in common from a Christian perspective.

Take the characters. The intentionality in the creation of the characters is unmatched. Movie writers create a specific person with a specific fashion style, personality, interests, etc. All of these things may seem random, but they are not because they are what makes each character unique. Viewers may not understand why a certain character dresses the way they do, but that doesn't mean that it isn't important for a character to dress exactly as the script reads. And that's exactly life-like.

There are so many things that God gives us. Makes us. Many times, we may not understand why, but just as we may not know why the screenwriters' intention in making a certain character a certain way but still understand that the character has to stick to the script, it's how we ought to trust God even when we don't and/or can't know.

Speaking of intentionality in character creation, here's the best parallel between movies and life. Are you familiar with Jeremiah 1:5? It says "before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” Screenwriters and producers don't cast actors and actresses first and then write up the script. Never. They first come up with the script and then cast the actors based on the script.

In other words, every actor that gets to be a part of a film project must have a role to play. There's no question about that and no ambiguity about their role either. That means that their role isn't something that's brainstormed when the actors get to the scene. It's something that's already been figured out and only waiting for the right person. I think that that's how our lives are as well.

Just like Jeremiah who was known, set apart, and appointed before he was formed, we are born with a purpose. We're born because there's a scripted role already that needs a player. That player has to be very particular. A certain personality, style, family, interests, you name it. That's why life unfolds the way it does for each one of us. It may seem coincidental or pointless, but it's not.

Just as a producer doesn't accidentally put anyone in the movie unless they have a part, God doesn't also create any of us without a purpose. You can now see why David says that he's "fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalm 139:14). He understood that he was no accident. He had been cast because God had a role for him. Just as he does for you and me.

Here's one thing about that though. If we all have our own roles, it means that if I don't step into mine, my part will be left undone. But even worse, my failure to fulfill my purpose will negatively affect others because oftentimes, our roles are interdependent.

There are many more similarities between movies and life, but I'll stop here for now. My hope for you is that you figure out your part sooner than later (if you haven't already). I also encourage us to look at what happens to us not as accidents or meaningless but as God's way of polishing and equipping us to better accomplish what we've been set apart for. How cool is that! But of course, don't just stop at knowing your purpose. Carry it out for the glory of your Maker.