Photo by CielChen
I just finished watching a terribly confusing film, I’m Not There. It was supposed to be about Bob Dylan, with the lead played by 6 different actors. Although each of their roles mimicked his, they never said they were Bob Dylan. They each had different names and different stories. It was not what I had expected or hoped for.
My heart broke in the 2 hours I spent with this film. I had a secret dream that I held so tightly that I dare not speak it. A phone call interrupted the middle of the film and stole that dream and took that hope away. It wasn’t a big dramatic or earth shattering moment. It was a confirmation that a small and simple dream wasn’t coming true.
I know that when you peg your hopes on the wrong things, you can only end up disappointed. It’s tempting to put faith in things, or schedules, or vehicles, or even people. But odds are they won’t deliver your agenda. I had hoped someone close to me would make a choice to make my life easier. He chose a different path. He wasn’t there.
I’ve been sick this week. I’ve taken a lot of medicine this week in hopes of curing what ails me. Some have helped, some actually made me worse. Through it all, the hardest pill to swallow is the reminder that it not all about me, my agenda or what makes my life easier.
I had my little pity party. I was angered at the selfishness of my loved-one’s decision. Until I realized I was being equally selfish.
I still have reason for faith and hope, even in the midst of pain, suffering, and loneliness.
The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17).
Upon reflection, I suppose the movie was suggesting that we can’t know a man by his actions or his music. We can read an interview, watch a film or attend a concert, but those snapshots in time won’t reveal his true character. In essence, all of these character portraits were Bob Dylan, just as much as they were not.
Likewise, it’s not about me and it’s all about me. God put us on earth to love and care for one another, not to focus on our own needs being meet 24/7. At the same time, Christ’s death on the cross was for me. He died for my sins. That’s exactly how much he loves me. He loves you that much too.
That’s the sacrifice that truly matters.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13).
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