"That's LA. They worship everything and value nothing." - says Sebastian, one of the lead characters in the movie La La Land. And so we wonder what values will affect his and Mia's choices as they chase their dreams.
That quote by Sebastian still sticks in my mind and I wonder if that philosophical statement defines our world. Or the church. Or me. For the church and you and me, I hope not. I think every decision a person makes is driven by the values they hold, don't you? So I ask myself: what do I worship today and how does that affect my values?
Jesus said we are to worship God(only) and serve Him(only). Luke 4:8 What do we see as we look around at our world, both near and far? What's gets worshipped: possessions? family? jobs? finances? religion? etc. The dictionary says to worship is to honor, exalt, adore, glorify, idolize, follow, and more. I think when God is without question first and foremost in our lives, our worship and our values will be reflected by that.
I worship Jesus so I want to value what He values. For instance, He places value on the little ones. How little? When they have life. In my dentist's office I saw a chart by the National Dentist Association that was called a Chart of HUMAN (my emphasis) Dentition. It showed when the teeth were first being developed in a baby's gums early in the womb. When I congratulated my dentist on being pro-life, he didn't know what to say. :) Jesus places value on the elderly. An old man (Simeon) and an old woman (Anna) were among the first to recognize the Lordship of Jesus when he was taken to the temple to be dedicated. (Luke 2)
Read the Word. You will see that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit place value on all life. ALL LIFE! And do not discriminate. When I think about our country and the rest of the world, I see confusion, disarray, anger, discouragement, fear, etc. So let's all look within ourselves. I don't want it said of me that I worship many things and value few things. Let us not have said of the church that it worships form but has no substance. Let's be people of the Word, but being very careful to divide it rightly. And let's bear the same fruit as Jesus did: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness ands self-control. Wow! Wow! Would that have an impact or what!
So back to La La Land. The ending is interesting. Whose dreams are we seeing: Sebastian's or Mia's? Or is it our dream. I wanted a better resolution at the end of the story but there didn't seem to be one. I wonder why I would hope for one. Up North Wisdom says that for the Christian believer, we know that there is a final resolution for this world and all of creation. All things will be restored, including relationships. God planned it from the foundation of the world. Christ's return is our wonderful, blessed and living hope! So in light of that, God help us to worship rightly and value rightly! And remember: The Best Is Yet To Come!
baddespel
4 years ago
