Expanding Your Horizons

   There are many movies out there that get a bad reputation by Christians. Most of those movies have to deal with sins that we think are too far gone from God. I'm not saying that there aren't some bad movies out there; what I am saying is that we can still look for the good messages in those movies. Last year the movie Dr. Strange came out. While the movie does deal with death, corruption, and magic there are some really profound quotes and messages in the movie.

   1. The Ancient One: [to Dr Strange] "You're a man looking at the world through a keyhole. You've spent your life trying to widen it. Your work saved the lives of thousands. What if I told you that reality is one of many?"
   Sometimes we fall into the trap Strange fell into. He thought he knew everything. He thought he was the best at everything. Yet, he also kept searching for new knowledge. He was hungry for new knowledge and truth. Yet when some knowledge came along that seemed too fantastic, or like a fantasy, he refused to believe it.
   It seems crazy to think that God would care so much for us that he would send his son to become a human and die on the cross. It also seems crazy to think that all we have to do is go to Jesus, believe in him, ask him to take our sins, then we are washed white as snow. But, it is true.
   2. Dr. Stephen Strange: [on magic] "I control it by surrendering control? That doesn't make any sense."
   The Ancient One: "Not everything does. Not everything has to."
   Humans like to be in control. We like to have a plan, security, and know what we are doing. If we want to follow God we must submit to him. That means we must give up control. We must trust in his plan and do what we are called to do. If Strange can learn this lesson then why can't we?
   3. The Ancient One: "We never lose our demons, Mordo. We only learn to live above them."
   Along with control, sometimes we have sins that we hold onto. We think that this sin is not going to control us, or it's not that bad. But, to God, sin is sin. If you continually lie it is the same as if you get drunk every night to God. We must give our sins to God and ask him to help us overcome those sins. Only then will we "live above our demons."
   4. Dr. Stephen Strange: "I'm not ready."
   The Ancient One: "No one ever is. We don't get to choose our time. Death is what gives life meaning. To know your days are numbered. Your time is short. You'd think after all this time, I'd be ready. But look at me. Stretching one moment out into a thousand... just so that I can watch the snow."
   We only have one life to live. God created us for a reason. We all have a call and a job to do while on earth. We must choose if we will follow that call that God has given us or not.
   5. The Ancient One: "Arrogance and fear still keep you from learning the simplest and most significant lesson of all."
   Dr. Stephen Strange: "Which is?"
   The Ancient One: "It's not about you."
   This is probably the most profound quote in the movie. Many people walk through this life filled with pride thinking that they are the greatest and it is all about them. That is until they reach the end of their lives and they are all alone. That's not to say we should care about others just so we aren't alone. We should care about others because that is what we are called to do. God said we should love him, then love others, and finally ourselves. If our priorities are not in that order then we are not following God.
   As you can see, this movie opens up into many spiritual aspects. When the writers wrote the story they probably were not thinking that this could relate to Christianity, but that doesn't change the messages we can get out to others because of this movie.
   So, will you choose to expand your horizon? Will you give control of your life over to God? How will you show you love God and love others today?

   Proverbs 19:21, Jeremiah 29:11, John 13:34

   Image found here.