I did not often get overwhelmed by the fact that I've been chosen by God. I'm grateful of course, but I think I figured the Predestination thing sort of took care of any particular intention on God's part. He knew for some reason that I should be chosen. So He did. End of story.
Almost a year ago, I discovered Jason Bourne. You know, the sometime-assassin for the CIA immortalized in The Bourne Identity, The Bourne Supremacy, and The Bourne Ultimatum? That guy. He got under my skin, and it wasn't just because Matt Damon has a killer smile (no pun intended). In trying to define what kind of archetype he represents (a fun game I play when my own psychology is getting the best of me), I listed out the character qualities of his I liked the most. Those that apply to this argument are as follows:
~ Strength, physically, emotionally and mentally.
~ Endurance/perseverance.
~ Exceptional intelligence.
~ Incredible self-control, physically, emotionally, sexually, and mentally. He commands that strength, restraining it till it is his weapon, not his master.
~ And, as a symmetrical reverse to that self-control, deliberateness. Again, even sexually. Even in situations where he is reacting, it is clear that he is allowing himself to react or be led in a certain direction.
It is my belief that this country has run short of men not ruled by their passions— sex, sports, computer games, work, whatever. In contrast, by exercising self-control Bourne opened the door to methodical intention. Case in point: by being able to control himself sexually, he wasn't dependent on a woman. Which meant that when he did chose a woman, she could relax in the fact that she wasn't simply fulfilling a need that could be filled by anyone at any time. She was a want, a deliberate preference over every other woman. Jason weighed his options and chose the best.
Several generations of women now have grown up with the subconscious knowledge that if they are not fantastic, he can go elsewhere for satisfaction. His lack of self-control produces an inability to trust him. And where there is no trust, there is constant fear. Marriage becomes a reaction to the ephemeral experience of “falling in love,” whatever that is, or to get a tax break, or a step to make the kids legitimate, or a way to pay the rent, or a capitulation to parental prodding. Gone is the pro-action of man recognizing that woman was taken out of him and that he needs her back to be whole (Gen. 2:23-24), therefore setting out to “find a good thing” in a wife (Prov. 18:22). So women wind up feeling superfluous.
That's the issue in human terms. But as usually happens when I breathe, God began working in my thoughts. Like everything else is on this planet, Jason Bourne is just another shadowy, imperfect representation of a spiritual reality. Whatever good Jason represents, we can be sure God is infinitely more the actual thing. If I admire perseverance and self-control, I should remember the Fruit of the Spirit— God's Spirit— is faithfulness and self-control. If I admire strength and deliberateness, I should remember every instance of His “strong right arm” and His deliberate choosing of all those men and women throughout history. And then I should remember that He does nothing unjust, thoughtless, unpremeditated, unkind, useless, or stupid.
So what does that make me?
Overwhelmed.
4 comments:
Jessie,
Thanks for articulating beautifully something that I've thought but never put into as many words. I am not much of a movie goer in general, but I have appreciated the Bourne series on several levels. As a guy, it is easy to enjoy the intricate but precise plot and generous dose of things blowing up; but several other facets have tugged at my attention. Jason's intentionality in relationships is one, and his struggle to overcome the training that taught him that it was ok to use bad means to accomplish a "good" goal is another. I think his unwillingness to "use" people sets the series apart from others like it.
I wish more people would realize that they have been so deceived. One of the hardest parts of youth ministry for me is watching young people live out relationships with their bf/gf that are so self centered that they are controlled by them instead of being in control. Sometimes at night when I pray for them it make me cry when I realize that so few of them even dream of relationships being any other way. Even when presented with God's vast and deliberate love for them they seem unable to accept it because they have never had any earthly model for what deliberate committed love looks like.
In His loving hands,
Caleb
hello there lady..you do have a thing with written charactures. I admitt that at times when I watch movies the main characture intreages me enough that I start do delve into theorizing about why they were written that way. weather it was to envoke a certin thinking in the viewer ect. but you still crack me up. nice to know there are more weirdos out there other than myself. But I have a little Q for you. was his self controll from the inside or was it the cruel and unusual brainwashing that took place in the begining of the film. chew on it...let me know :}
The cop-out answer, of course, if "Both." It's also true, though. He had to have incredible self-control to volunteer for the program, submit to it, and carry it through. Which the CIA knew and capitalized on. They used his best qualities to transform him into the worst expression of that true person.
Will that work for you? :-)
has to I guess. really I think that to get the true answer it would have to come from the author him...or herself. only they know the true and inner meaning of thier charactures and what they were thinking when. it would be interesting to her the answer.
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