Life Notes—March 1, 2012
“Just because something isn’t true, that’s no reason you can’t believe in it. Sometimes the things that may or may not be true are the things a (person) needs to believe in the most: that people are basically good; that honor, courage and virtue mean everything; that money and power mean nothing; that good always triumphs over evil; that true love never dies. It doesn’t matter if they’re true or not. A (person) should believe in those things because those are the things worth believing in.” Uncle Hub
This quote is from the movie Secondhand Lions. It is the story of a 12-ish year old boy left in the care of his two crusty old great-uncles. One uncle (Michael Caine) tells bizarre tales of valor and honor about the wild exploits of the brothers in their younger days. The “kid,” as they refer to him, is constantly questioning the truth of the stories and just when he is about convinced they are nothing more than the product of a wildly overactive imagination, something happens to make him realize they may have actually happened after all. Ultimately, the movie is about the search for what is important in life. The kid has been raised by an unstable mother and is desperately seeking something solid in which to root his life. Uncle Hub (Robert Duvall) has a speech he gives boys about to become men, and the quote above is the part of that speech he gives to “the kid.”
The speech reminds me of issues Christians sometimes quibble about. We argue about whether events in the Bible are actually “true” or not, whether they actually happened as recorded or whether they are accurately portrayed. But in doing so we risk missing the vital lessons contained in the events and stories. Treating other people as we would like to be treated is always a good idea, both for us and others, regardless of whether the Golden Rule is “true.” Loving our neighbor as our self is simply a good, caring practice, but cannot be scientifically proven to be “true.” If the “real” world is limited to that which can be replicated by research, it is a very small and colorless world indeed.
Is good triumphing over evil in your life? Has true love ever died? Sometimes our understanding of life and love is far too limited. Our lives are not over. Does anyone know how, or if, their life will actually end? Can we see beyond the grave? Of course not. There are principles we should believe whether they can be proven as “truth” or not. They are guides for a fruitful life. Lent is an excellent time to ponder these truths and reaffirm what we believe. We may not have a great-uncle Hub to remind us of what is important, but we do have the wisdom and stories of the Bible to inform us.
This Sunday is the second of Lent. Both Tom (downtown) and Mitch (west) will preach a sermon titled, “Connecting to the World,” based on Luke 10:1-11. Life worship begins at 10:00 AM in Brady Hall. Traditional worship is at 8:30 and 11:00 in the sanctuary. West campus worship is at 9:00 and 11:00. Communion will be served at all services.
Come home to church this Sunday. Join us in our search for Truth…
Greg Hildenbrand, Life Music Coordinator
Contemplating Grace 