I really am thankful for my film classes this semester, and even more grateful that I am learning to appreciate my education better. I slowly get the sense of what's in store for me in this field, and I'm having a blast with all the things I've been learning, topped up with Economics, Philosophy, and Communication Research. Though these can be a bit technical, I find myself being able to apply the concepts in life.
One film that got me thinking recently is Zach Helm's Stranger Than Fiction. We watched this in Writing for Film as another practice of grasping the elements of a good visual story.
In this film, Harold Crick finds himself hearing someone narrating the things he's doing--a woman with a British accent. At some point, the narrator even mentions how he feels. Harold even figures out that this is really something out-of-the-ordinary because as the narrator says, "Little did he know..." the narrator has a third-person omniscient point-of-view. Someone's writing down the story of his life. All was well until he heard the narrator talk about his imminent death.
One of the things I've been musing on the past few days is how to stop and listen every so often. In a world where things are constant, I usually find myself too indulged with worldly things. There are even instances in my life where I find the things I do as routine, boring, and meaningless. I do some things for the sole purpose of getting by. Thankfully, through the help of Helm, Karl Marx, and a Jesuit I met the other night, I slowly gained a new perspective.
Going back to Harold Crick's story, while watching the film, a thought formed: What if we suddenly hear someone narrating the story of our life? I'd probably find myself creeped out and seek help, like Harold did. But what made this film icon worth remembering for me is how he was willing to give his life for the sake of it's poetry. When he was able to find the narrator just before his death was typewritten, he was relieved. When he read the manuscript of his life, he realized that the ending written down for him is worth it. He is willing to give his life for the beauty of the story.
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| from http://fergie1234.blogspot.com/2010/11/double-indemnity-la-confidential.html |
The truth of the matter is, Harold's story is fictional. Mine's non-fiction. Yet, I find myself hearing this voice inside of me. I may not be able to read my story like Harold did, but I have these memories, these images of how my life has been. But what struck me the most is how Harold was able give up his life.
Then I remember who my Narrator is. If I could hear my Narrator as often as Harold did, would I be scared? If He laid out how my story would play out, would I be brave enough to learn about it? Moreover, would I be willing to step out in faith and follow despite how heart-wrenching, how painful, how hard it may be?
It takes a relationship with Him to recognize His voice. It takes discipline to listen. It takes courage to look back at our lives. But most importantly, it takes faith to willingly follow His plans. Through faith, we aim to completely surrender to His will. In faith, we "[realize] what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1 NASB) We are assured that with this Narrator, through this Author of our lives, we are in good hands. It is in surrendering to His will that we will soon see beauty; the poetry of our lives.
Another thing that keeps me reassured is how I find the stories of other people quite similar to mine. I find them relevant and quite frankly realize that it's because we have only one Author, one Creator, one God. The poetry in it is how He writes all our stories, and how these intertwine--how our lives affect the lives of others, how we are where we are right now, how we find meaning in our lives. A whole world of life stories, purposely interwoven by this awesome Author. It is through Him that all these are wonderfully possible.
The big question is, how willing are we to step out in faith and trust in His plans? In a world where things are constant, are we willing to hold on to this unchanging God speaking in our hearts? Given that we are not as lucky as Harold Crick in being able to read a fictional book about his life, and given this non-fictional life we are living and this voice deep in our hearts narrating our stories, how willing are we to give our lives? How much of your life are you willing to surrender to Him?
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| from http://journeys-smileony.blogspot.com/2011/05/surrendering-to-god.html |
