{"id":14615,"date":"2024-06-16T08:11:16","date_gmt":"2024-06-16T12:11:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/intramuralist.com\/?p=14615"},"modified":"2024-06-16T08:11:16","modified_gmt":"2024-06-16T12:11:16","slug":"would-you-look-at-them","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/intramuralist.com\/?p=14615","title":{"rendered":"would you look at them…"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Bruce: \u201cHow do you make someone love you without affecting Free Will?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

God: \u201cHeh, welcome to my world, son. If you come up with an answer to that one, let me know.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

. . . . .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of my movie faves is the 2003 comedy, \u201cBruce Almighty,\u201d 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),<\/em> especially tapping into their comedic genius, it\u2019s also seemingly pretty theologically sound and encouraging in how it encourages us to relate to God and to other people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carrey portrays Bruce Nolan, a career TV newsman who\u2019s upset after not attaining the coveted anchorman position. He believes he\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Suffice it to say, there\u2019s 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bruce isn\u2019t 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?)<\/em> Clearly put, therefore, Bruce\u2019s self-focus is what most would deem as unhealthy. That’s no attempt at subtle judgment; for purposes of this discussion, we’re equating \u201cunhealthy\u201d with not good nor anywhere close to God-honoring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And I think it is\u2026 most<\/em> of the time\u2026 when the focus is pure\u2026 when the intent is honor, kindness and consideration\u2026 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve noticed a way we move to an others-focus that is unhealthy, meaning not <\/em>good and not<\/em> God-honoring. It\u2019s not for any good of another\u2026 it\u2019s more for the deflection of attention on self\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe they won\u2019t see how frail I am if I point out their weakness instead\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe that minor character flaw of mine will pale in comparison if they pay more attention to him\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What I did really wasn\u2019t so bad. Look at them\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And just like that we create a moral barometer based on something less than what\u2019s good and right and true. We create a moral barometer based on comparison and other people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because it\u2019s easier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see this in social media. We see it in self. We see it in political candidates.\u00a0It all just feels so impure so many days. No wonder we keep losing faith. It is not<\/em> good and right and true.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Would you look at <\/em>them<\/em><\/strong>\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sorry, friends\u2026 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When we use other people in an attempt to make ourselves look better \u2014 that\u2019s all of us \u2014 me, included \u2014 we don\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That seems unhealthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Respectfully\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AR<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Bruce: \u201cHow do you make someone love you without affecting Free Will?\u201d God: \u201cHeh, welcome to my world, son. If you come up with an answer to that one, let me know.\u201d . . . . . One of my movie faves is the 2003 comedy, \u201cBruce Almighty,\u201d with the star-studded cast of Jim Carrey, … <\/p>\n

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