Remarkably Bright Creatures

Last night Suze asked me if I enjoyed it?

We had just finished watching a new movie on Netflix and I technically lied.

Said that I didn't enjoy it. That it didn't affect me.

The reality was it did.

It was another movie which has a theme, direction, plot that is while not new, yet communicates powerfully to your insides. And in ways that I don't alway like to acknowledge.

Remarkably Bright Creatures is not a typical feel good story and yet the story telling via an octopus really help paint things the way they should be.

It is not light and tasty.

It is not action and drama.

It is to me similar to other movies that deal with deep heart issues, pain and the "human condition.

Think The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry meets Babe with sprinklings of Mr Hollands Opus and even a dash of The Secret Life of Walter Mitty sensibilities.

Movies that deal with real life issues, how we sometimes try to struggle through them alone, afraid and invariably with a sense of being stuck, these movies move me.

The powerful moments of hope expressed in them do something inside of me.

...and my stupid eyes always seem to leak...

I kind of recommend you watch it.

Don't watch it to be entertained, but more to be awaken in some way.

You might want to avoid it to avoid feeling things and then maybe dealing with things? And that kind of matches the story behind the story, and another reason to watch it.

Maybe it will help you understand someone else if not yourself?

My prayer for you if you are facing or have faced anything relatable to this great movie is simple.

I pray that you will find peace.

That you will find your people.

That you will find hope and a way forward.

Check it out...

I Hate Waiting

I really dislike waiting.
In fact I can honestly say I hate it...

I have such vivid memories from my childhood of waiting for what seemed like an eternity for my Dad.

At the bank. Outside his club.

It is kind of sad that waiting on him seems to be a more pronounced memory than maybe what it should be?

I not trying to blame my parent as though he created this neurosis.

But it has apparently left an indelible mark on me.

We all face periods in life where waiting seems to dominate.

In fact history is riddled with sometimes amazing stories of those who have wrestled through waiting periods, before an opportunity, or a vindication, or an answer broke the waiting game.

From the sailors many years ago who waited stranded and essentially dying near Antartica for rescue. 

What about the twelve young boys and their coach, trapped in a Thailand caving system?

Their waiting must have seemed unbearable and unending!

From Joseph waiting 13 years for the his dreams to come true even in the midst of setbacks and unfair persecution. Genesis 37-50

What about the lady who waited for years in a jewish temple after the early death of her husband, hoping, praying for the coming promised saviour to her nation. Luke 2:36-38.

Even in pop culture we can relate to these stories...

I think of "Wilson" and his human benefactor in the Movie Castaway. Stuck on a pacific island without much hope of rescue.

And speaking of Tom Hanks, his character in The Terminal was stuck waiting a long time to go home to beloved his "Motherland".

It is unwise to say you can relate totally to the real world examples mentioned already, but it is also honest to say that you can relate to the uncomfortable nature of waiting in general.

The level of discomfort raising with the level of the stakes involved.

The tension of hoping it will all work out, as you try and disarm the concern and the longevity.

Maybe you are feeling a little like me today?

That you are waiting for an answer or relief or supply or something better?

Waiting for the next step or next role?

Remind yourself to hang onto hope.

Remind yourself that God has got this.

I am waiting with you!

Something to think about...

What have I learned - TODAY?

The question I have pondered this morning is one many have asked me in variety of forms and contexts over the years, and seemed like a good place to start...

What have I learned?

As of Today. Right now in this moment!

Like what is it that I have recently discovered about myself, life, and my place in the world?

If you asked me this same question, maybe sitting together in a cafe enjoying a fresh brew, there would probably be 2 distinct answers that I would give you right now.

ONE "I have learned whether I truly trust God."

I have come to realise over the last few years and especially now, that you only know whether you trust God when you actually have to trust God.

What does that mean?

It super easy to say you do, when you don't have to in reality. 

When life is going well. 

When you have some money and roof over your head and no drama.

When your relationships are ok.

And when you have nothing of substance to complain about.

It is easy to say the words that you trust God, but let's continue being honest, they are probably just words.

My world isn't terrible, but it has not been that easy for a while now.

It has created a godly tension I believe that has forced me to be more honest about trust.

Do I really, truly, honestly trust God with my life?

My honest answer to that life has revealed that maybe that I do and I don't.

That I oscillate sometimes. 

One minute having faith and others wondering what is going on.

Just being honest...

I think I desire to trust God sometimes more than the reality.

And that is something I am working on.

TWO "What I truly believe."

Following on from my "trust issues", the stage of life and the circumstances I am navigating, have revealed even more what I believe.

It is funny how trials and struggles reveal what we really think, feel and believe.

My outlook on the world is clear in my mind.

My beliefs.

My approaches.

And even my political proclivities are more real to me in this moment.

Because they are laid bare in my heart, it has given me pause to reflect on them, to analysis them and see if they match God's perspective.

Maybe it has been like a belief audit?

What you truly belief is very important and not something to shy away from and avoid.

Now it is your turn...

If you and I were sitting in a maybe the same imaginary cafe and I asked you "what have you learned", like recently in life, what would you answer be?

My hint would be not overthink but share what your first gut level answers would be.

I ultimately think it is both a healthy/good question along with being confronting.

Scripture tells to consider our life, our doctrine (1 Timothy 4:6). 

To not just trudge on hoping we are ok and what we believe is ok.

Naivity is not a great strategy.

Honesty about yourself. What is happening and where are tracking is better.

Courage to then deal with it what is you discover about your heart right now is better.

Something to think about...