More hypocritical, caffeine doused callers expressed, "Look at the power we have finally cultivated, we can fear people from doing things that offend us. We are recognized as members of the buying marketplace. We can now use this position to influence the media for the better."
Honestly, I'm tired of being associated with 'this' type of love-less power. I don't want people to fear me because I decide to pick up offenses and call a lobbyist. I don't want people to constantly know what I'm against, when they never know what I'm for.
Think about it, while we have focused on cultivating this 'new political power', we have lost our respected place inside of Graceland. Churches are empty, and hearts are hungry - thirsty. We stand at a distance and shout with our "big mouth muscle"...our volume is loud, but our love is silent.
It's a shame that a single can of soda pop in the hands of a character depicting Jesus, can cause such a stir. Where is this level of "concern" as it relates to the pandemic of HIV/AIDS orphans in Africa, the homeless, the homosexual, abuse, addicted and lonely?
Here we have a movie that relates a modern day spiritual journey in a fictional (if not a super insightful non-fictional) manner. Why can't we bring ourselves to embracing the spiritually seeking art of today's culture, rather stoning it into stoic, religious submission ?
Finally, some were bothered with the representation of Jesus being as an ordinary, homeless hitchhiker who would drink a Coke. From my driver's seat, wasn't it Jesus who determined to empty himself to come to our fallen, sinful creation as a lowly, ordinary man. Are we concerned that we lose something in the mix if we embrace Jesus as all human? I say we lose everything if we don't embrace the Redeemer as Abba's humanity reach. Who better to fix my heart than a Creator who relates to my fallen state of sinful weaknesses?
"When your invited to a dinner (movie), go sit at the last place. Then when the host comes he may very well say, 'Friend, come up to the front.' That will give the dinner (movie) guests something to talk about (good material). What I'm saying (Jesus here) is, if you walk around with your nose in the air, you're going to end up flat on your face. But if you're content to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself." (Luke 14:10-11)
If we can learn to tone down our vitriolic rage for a moment, this movie has metaphors upon metaphors to use for the kingdom reach that we all should be practicing. Why are we so determined to give everything inside this loved culture the self-righteous, "holy stiff-arm"?
Give me Jesus, a Coca-Cola and a hitched ride through the mid-life everyday, please.
Comments: erichogueshow@hotmail.com
