It was interesting that last night while NBC was showing the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Olympics in Bejing - ABC was showing the 2005 remake of the classic H. G. Wells movie “War of The Worlds”. I know enough about how decisions are made that it was not a coincidence to program a movie that presents a conflict in which a way of life is threatened with annihilation by a mysterious, powerful force with domination as it’s one and only goal.
What made it especially interesting for me was that there were a couple of comments from friends on Facebook about how they were both impressed and unsettled by what they saw during the opening ceremonies . I totally get that feeling and was relieved to find that I was not the only one.
First - what an incredible display of creativity and artistry. The drummers, the painting with dance, the use of technology and mostly the grand scale of using the entire environment of the venue as a canvas. Simply stunning.
Secondly - what was unsettling was watching it all and thinking “if this is what a culture of obedience to a common goal (at the expense of individual liberty) can achieve . . . what happens when that goal is expressed as dominance over another? Especially so if that dominance is achieved thru violence, intimidation and fear".
It’s interesting that as Christ followers we “say” that we seek and follow a God that will one day unify all the people and elements of this world and return them to the state that He originally created. Yet, when we see a culture that is based on “one” expression of humanity, we find it to be extraordinarily beautiful and frightening . . . all at the same time.
Of course, the unification of the Chinese people and their culture toward manifesting the goals of the state pales in comparison to the unification of all the peoples of the world with their environment and the defeat of sin. Still, to see it played out before 91,000 people by a cast and crew of thousands and then viewed by millions and millions of people all across the globe is as impressive as it is thought provoking.
Many people know that beyond the gruffness that I portray on this blog - I’m a big softy at heart. I mean, seriously, I get a bit emotional at a Visa card commercial with Morgan Freeman saying “Go World”. So I found myself many times during the evening with my emotions welling up as I watched the incredible tapestry of faces parade into the stadium. All of these people are made in the image of God and the diversity and creativity of their faces, their skin color, their build, their facial features - all these differences are the pieces of the puzzle that will only be finished when they are finally assembled and God’s manifestation of his plan is complete.
That is when we will all be in harmony, all marching to the beat of the same drummer, all of our differences will no longer matter . . . and it won’t be scary at all.
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