Emptiness & Hopelessness

Lisa and I decided to rent a movie Wednesday of last week. We stopped at Bi-Lo to grab a movie from the DVD Express box there (I mean really... it's a $1 to watch a DVD as long as you have it back the next day... great deal if you ask me!). She picks the movie Revolutionary Road.

I will say this... it is probably one of the saddest movies I've seen. Definitely in the top 5. The saddest moment in the movie was the actually the deepest moment. A moment that made Lisa pause it and we talked about it for a few minutes.

The main characters, Frank and April Wheeler, walking in the woods with their newly introduced friend John. They are discussing with John why they are moving to Paris.

“And what’s in Paris?” John asks as they walk.

“A different way of life,” April responds.

“So maybe we are running… we’re running from the hopeless emptiness of the whole life here.”  Frank concedes.

John pauses.  “The hopeless... emptiness? Now, you’ve said it.  Plenty of people are on to the emptiness, but it takes real guts to see the hopelessness… Wow.”

John continues walking.  Frank and April watch him go.

I found this to be absolutely tragic because so many people in this world DO think that it's filled with both emptiness AND hopelessness.

I can admit that even looking at the current situations that are going on around me it would be easy to fall prey to the idea that there is no hope. But as the old saying goes, "momma didn't raise no fool!" I know God enough that I believe there is hope. This section of Paul's letter to the Romans speaks of having such a hope:

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
(Romans 5:1-5 ESV)

peace and grace,
Bill

happy times...

i'll take a break from my pain and post some laughs and joy i've had the last couple of days...

first, mms will finally be on the iPhone this month. WOOT!!! see here.

second, peopleofwalmart.com is insane. i find myself chuckling at the odd things i see and yet wondering how it's possible for people to act or dress the way they do...

third, evolution of dance 2...





enjoy!

peace and grace,
bill

why...

I get the whole idea that Christians are supposed to have faith that God is in control and knows what he's doing...

But at the same time I am human. So when faced with the situation we're in right now I have to ask why? More like scream it actually. I would think it safe to say that believers have always wrestled with the idea of "Why do bad things happen to good people?" The whole faith and peace thing is illusive and so very distant in situations like this.

Then I read an excerpt from Yac's book Tough Faith. I think he was onto something when he wrote this:

     Peace is supposed to be one of the fruits of conversion, and it is. But does that mean, as some suggest, that the Christian has an inner tranquility and serenity that makes him oblivious to outside conditions? Does peace imply for the Christian that tragedy, evil, suffering, pain, and discouragement are unable to penetrate his composure?
     Peace describes a condition rather than a demeanor. Peace is the result of salvation, which means that man and God are no longer at war. Peace describes the state of man after conversion. He is at peace with God.
     Peace is not a protective shield from the battle around us. It does not make us immune to pain and suffering. Peace is not a drug which makes us oblivious to symptoms.
     Biblical joy has nothing to do with our emotional state or conditions and circumstance. It is independent of all the chance and changes in life.
     Joy is the description of the believers’ condition, which is complete dependence on the character of God. Joy is permanent confidence in his resources and character. It’s not happiness, and it’s not a sentimental, superficial grin on your face. It’s the unchanging quality that remains despite pain, suffering, tears, changes in fortune, and even financial collapse.

As I've said before, continue to pray for us. This situation is an awkward one. One that will bring hurt and grief yet one that will glorify the Father to no end for sure.

peace and grace,

bill