Spin World, Spin On!

I have been inspired to post by my sisters, who have been so instrumental in my life and development.

I just came home from a movie which may be one more step in either direction for our culture: a step up and in, or down and out. It is artfully done, a remarkably accurate transfer from the pages of a comic to the walls of the worlds movie theaters. But for all that work of actors and writers, camera men, digital artists, musicians and other creative professionals all it is is a mirror. A very shiny mirror.

Both of my sisters posted on their present lives, both works dealing with their hopes and dreams. One speaking with hope about what she sees just around the corner: a relief from restrictions and a bit more freedom and support. The other writes about hopes and dreams still yet to be thrown into motion. The latter was not quite such a joyful and excited post, the realization of her dreams are a bit farther away. Still, I think they are no less solid than anything else in the world that surrounds her.

But all my certainty is for naught if I don't tell her of it.
So here goes:

Dear sister and first of friends,

You are right. All my studies in Psychology and human development reveal the same fact. We are amazingly powerful and distinctly fragile beings. Very few of us are aware of it, and often we hurt ourselves because of that. One little thing can break us; one wrong judgment can throw us off of our straight and narrow path. We do live on the edge of a knife, and that blade is so sharp it often tears through the fabric of our lives without our even knowing it.

But.
But our lives are also in constant motion. We do not stand still for even a moment, we are always moving toward a goal. And as we run we adjust our course as we grow more focused upon that goal. Just as a wheel grows harder to turn as it's momentum grows, so too we resist the forces that try and throw us off course.

You've mountain-biked, you know this principle. Dad taught us when we first started on the trails: "Pick a line and follow it, the bike can take you over more than you think it can." And as a runner you should have learned that it wasn't really the bike that took us over those rough trails, it was the momentum. Our momentum. We made it, purposed it for taking us down the line, to achieve our goals. And it took us there.

So, dear Sis', just keep going. You are fragile, but the purpose that God has gifted you with, which is found in your never faltering desire to achieve His goals, makes you infinitely powerful so long as you run for Him. And you do, so fear not and keep on keeping on. Your prized dreams await you!



That said, one last word on the film I watched today: it is a marvelous and creative work. A professional and masterful reflection on our society and what we have and may make of ourselves. A very shiny mirror held in the hand of a barbarian running at full tilt, not knowing where he's headed. The mirror is worthless if it cannot make that barbarian pause in mid-step and take a second look at himself.

If this film does not cause us to collectively pause and check were our society is taking us then it is as worthless as a pile of shattered glass and broken metal: a broken mirror, tossed aside by a mindless brute heading blindly towards ruin. Quite useless.




7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing

-2 Timothy 4z;7-10