Nathan and I watched the Disney/Pixar movie, "Up," last night, and I'm wondering...Did anyone else find themselves sobbing loudly in the first 10 minutes, begging your husband to turn off this horrible movie??
I was NOT expecting that.
But we stuck it out. (Only because Nathan refused to give in.) And I'm proud to say that after those first weepy 10 minutes, I only cried two more times.
I think my (ridiculous) sadness over this movie underlines the way I sinfully cling to the pleasures of this life. It was highly disturbing for me to watch this couple, so in love, age so quickly and then lose each other. And even though Carl found new meaning in his relationships with Russell and Doug, let's be honest...he's still going to keel over and die in about five seconds.
Why is it so depressing for me to think about getting old? Why do I hate the thought of being on my deathbed, looking back at my life and thinking, "That was it. That was my life."?
Because no matter how often I tell myself that this world is not my home, I still somehow think I can find fulfillment here. But the truth is, no matter how in love Nathan and I are, no matter how adventurously we live, no matter how many adorable, towheaded babies we have, we are Still. Going. To. Die.
PRAISE GOD that for the believer, this life is not all there is. We have more to look forward to, and we have no idea just how amazing eternity with Christ is going to be. One book that has really helped me look forward to heaven is a book by Randy Alcorn, titled (appropriately) Heaven.
What about you? Are you living your life here on earth as though this is IT? Do you think about death? Is it depressing or joyful? Where will you spend eternity?
Each of us, when we die, will face a Holy and Righteous Judge, the One who created us and has rightful rule over our lives. We have lived in rebellion against him, choosing to live for ourselves rather than for him. Our hearts are naturally cold toward God; we are unable to love him or obey him on our own. No matter how many "good deeds" we do, we can never live up to his perfect standard. Our good works are like filthy rags in his eyes.
But God sent his Son, Jesus, to earth to live as a man. Jesus lived the perfect life we should have lived, and he died on the cross to bear God's wrath for our sins. God the Father punished God the Son in our place. He was pierced for our transgressions, crushed for our sins. The punishment that brought us peace was upon him. And by his wounds we are healed.
For those who choose to turn away from their sin and acknowledge that they can never please God on their own, but trust solely in Jesus' death on the cross for their salvation, there is eternal life. Because of Jesus' subsitutionary death on the cross, His righteousness was then transferred to our account. Now, when God looks upon us (Christians), instead of seeing our sin, he sees Jesus' righteousness. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might be called the righteousness of God.
Jesus died and rose to life after 3 days in the grave, demonstrating his power over sin and death. The one who turns from sin and trusts in him gains that same victory over sin, through the Holy Spirit Jesus gives us.
If you're unsure about whether you have truly turned from your sin and trusted in Christ, I encourage you to make this issue a priority. Your soul's eternal state is on the line, and not all of us will live as long as Carl...
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I cried the first ten minutes as well, so you are not alone! It is amazing how you can go back and watch old Disney movies and find yourself crying in them as well, when as children we could care less.
ReplyDeleteI was a weepy mess during this movie too. The movies with really sweet, simple messages always get me.
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