Bruce: “How do you make someone love you without affecting Free Will?”
God: “Heh, welcome to my world, son. If you come up with an answer to that one, let me know.”
. . . . .
One of my movie faves is the 2003 comedy, “Bruce Almighty,” with the star-studded cast of Jim Carrey, Jennifer Aniston, Morgan Freeman and Steve Carell. Besides showcasing the talents of the aforementioned individuals (like Carrey and Freeman above), especially tapping into their comedic genius, it’s also seemingly pretty theologically sound and encouraging in how it encourages us to relate to God and to other people.
Carrey portrays Bruce Nolan, a career TV newsman who’s upset after not attaining the coveted anchorman position. He believes he’s a victim of absolutely everyone and everything. He has convinced himself in his victim speak that God is treating him badly. The course of the movie shares the growth in his relationship with God in clever, clever ways.
Suffice it to say, there’s not a lot of maturity in Bruce as the movie begins. As with each of us, maturity of faith (or lack of it) is oft visible via how we treat other people. That’s not rocket science; a timeless truth is that God asks two primary things of those who follow Him: (1) Love Him. (2) Love other people.
Bruce isn’t all that loving when the viewer initially meets him in the movie. Concisely put, Bruce is incredibly self-focused. When graciously bestowed by God with divine power for a week, in fact, Bruce immediately blesses himself with a chic new sports car and snazzy outfit as well. (Did I mention clever?) Clearly put, therefore, Bruce’s self-focus is what most would deem as unhealthy. That’s no attempt at subtle judgment; for purposes of this discussion, we’re equating “unhealthy” with not good nor anywhere close to God-honoring.
It got me thinking: is an others focus always healthy? Is a focus on other people always good and God-honoring? Is it what we’re called to do?
And I think it is… most of the time… when the focus is pure… when the intent is honor, kindness and consideration… when the shifting of attention is actually for the appreciation or well-being of the other… when it’s not really one more not-so-clever cover up of a hidden, still self-focus. Yes, intent matters.
I’ve noticed a way we move to an others-focus that is unhealthy, meaning not good and not God-honoring. It’s not for any good of another… it’s more for the deflection of attention on self…
Maybe they won’t see how frail I am if I point out their weakness instead…
Maybe that minor character flaw of mine will pale in comparison if they pay more attention to him…
What I did really wasn’t so bad. Look at them…
And just like that we create a moral barometer based on something less than what’s good and right and true. We create a moral barometer based on comparison and other people.
Why?
Because it’s easier.
We see this in social media. We see it in self. We see it in political candidates. It all just feels so impure so many days. No wonder we keep losing faith. It is not good and right and true.
Would you look at them…
Sorry, friends…
When we use other people in an attempt to make ourselves look better — that’s all of us — me, included — we don’t look any wiser; we don’t look wise at all. We are only attempting to reroute attention so there exists less reflection on our own behavior.
That seems unhealthy.
Respectfully…
AR