"The book was so much better than the movie," you've heard this a thousand times. People read a book, see the movie, and leave disappointed, convinced the story told in writing is far better than any film's translation. The book allows the reader to develop the characters appearances in their own minds and to make assumptions of their nature and actions based on their own preconceived notions, morals, and beliefs. That's a mouth full. Oh the joy of reading a story and creating it for yourself in your mind. The imperfections decrease as the romanticism increases. Some people struggle with the vice of this predicament. Movies over romanticize the lives they live and set them up with impossible standards and ridiculous life expectations, producing a lifestyle that will never lead to contentment.
I guess I struggle a bit with both sides of this book/movie coin. But at the end of the day, the standard of perfection in my mind, created by yours truly is what rocks my world. I am always on the hunt for the next best thing. I live like an optimistic protagonist, always looking toward my perfect ending and I die like a book worm molding the life I see into what I envision as perfect. Regardless the result, if the book is better than the movie or the movie is better than the book, both set impossible standards for those who consume them.
Life is neither written perfectly or performed perfectly. At the end of the day, the act is over and the crowd goes home.
PRAISE JESUS, because my attempt at perfection in every aspect of life is enough to thrust me into a series of anxiety attacks. To move forward, with understanding of the life already lived is to understand perfection is what we leave behind. No family member is perfect. No life plan is perfect. No expectation placed upon us is completely perfect. As flawed human beings we are imperfect.
But what if people don't like the sequel. What if the good-ole-days were too good to follow up? It is rare to find a critic to give the 3rd or 4th sequel any glory. This is my fear in life, when things change and time moves forward, will I only have the past to look back on with a smile? Will the sequel be enough?
All throughout scripture God demonstrates His love for His people in real time. He is perfectly fine to give His children time to reflect, time to equip, and most dear to my heart, is the time He gives His children to wait. I am able to look back on my life and see the imperfections and just how they are all a piece of what God has planned since the beginning of time. It is clear the value, the significance and the uniqueness of each step I've taken until now.
As the new year approaches I am able to reflect on what has been so very good in my life and in this past imperfect year. I graduated college on the cusp of 2017. I stayed close to my Alma mater to complete my school year term as president of the Baptist Campus Ministry. I felt a bit like a writer re-reading an already complete and written chapter during those few months, but it was a good season of transition. I got a call, and moved home to help my family business. Only for a few months I told myself. I applied for jobs near and far from my hometown, convinced that good things come to those who...get out of their hometown as soon as possible. I traveled on a mission trip to NYC with college students, and interviewed for jobs in the city there. Sure that Jesus is doing things in big cities and He is bored of small towns, I pushed myself to see life in NYC, ignoring any still small voice of direction. I truly believe knowing Jesus, that we are able and equipped by the gospel to serve people anywhere we are, but I also believe there are specific purposed places of favor we can stumble upon with His direction. That is the best way I know to explain that. I've always enjoyed doing the hard, unexpected things, to push and challenge myself. I would get through all the interviews and end feeling like it wasn't right. I knew I was pushing for the life I wanted, not the life I needed, not a life where I sought out the favor of God. Every unexpected, exciting, challenging door I tried to push open slammed in my face. The places of peace and favor in our lives are so evident and also so secretive and mysterious ready to be found.
So I bought a book and learned about discerning the voice of God from an incredible sister, Priscilla Shirer. I stopped applying for jobs, and I started praying about each day. I made imperfect attempts at obedience and Jesus started to show up. He started to reveal needs and real practical Christianity to my broken, fame-seeking heart. The discipline of obeying Jesus daily hit me hard and exposed the true heart of my issues.
Here I am, at the end of a wild year full of uncertainty and unfulfilled expectations, anxious to begin something new. A sequel is set to film, and I've decided to accept it for all the newness it brings, knowing Jesus is SO GOOD and ready to surprise us, if we only choose to seek Him.