Mike’s Movie Meditations

Men in Black 3

Ecclesiastes 3:11—4:12: 

11 ¶  He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set eternity in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

12  I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.

13  And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.

14  I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.

15  That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.

16 ¶  And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there.

17  I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.

18  I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.

19  For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.

20  All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.

21  Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?

22  Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?

1 ¶  So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.

2  Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.

3  Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

4 ¶  Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.

5  The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.

6  Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.

7 ¶  Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.

8  There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.

9  Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.

10  For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.

11  Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?

12  And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Isa 57:15  For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, With him who has a contrite and humble spirit, To revive the spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

Ac 15:18  Known to God from eternity are all His works.

I just got back from seeing Men in Black 3 and it is late and I’m tired.  And this is also one of those movies I don’t want to spend a lot of time on, but I did have some meditations that went through my mind as I watched it and drove home. 

Time travel

Time travel is a popular movie plot and theme – but why?   It seems that in one form or another or reason, we meditate on the possibility of going back in time.  I’m sure we have all looked at our lives and wished we had done something different back _______.  Or we wish we were at such and such an age knowing what we do now etc…   But if we did, would that erase such events as the existence of children etc…   But why do we have these thoughts?  It seems to me that we are (to some extent) trying to play God.  We want to somehow have control over time in our thoughts through these fantasies.  Time travel will always be fiction, but it doesn’t stop us from thinking about it.  Deep down we all know that there is only ONE who is the “Alpha and Omega” “The Beginning and the End” the one who “inhabits eternity” – He alone is above and manages the past, the present and the future.  And for God all of His works in this world and in our lives is perfect.  He knows what will transpire in the future BECAUSE He has ORDAINED the future — and even the evil and wicked plans of man – He uses to glorify Himself even if we don’t understand it – for example the crucifixion.  God has no regrets.  There isn’t a “plan b” for God.  Unlike the movie, there are not several alternatives — there is one plan and purpose God has which in His infinite wisdom will glorify Him and that is what is and will continue to be – played out. 

Next time you entertain these thoughts – simply stop yourself – fear God – realize you are finite and the creature and not the creator and REST in that!   The message of Solomon is not just to fear God and keep His commandments, but to ENJOY your life no matter what circumstances come your way.  Why?  Because you may not know what the future will bring, but you know the one who ordains and knows the future.  Is God not big enough to forgive your sins and failing of the past?  Is He not big enough to actually be using them for His purposes even though you may never be able to understand how or why?  Is it not more satisfying and peaceful to rest in God who knows the perfections of His works throughout eternity, than for you to pervert this reality with your selfish fantasizing of playing the time traveler – for whatever purposes you come up for having this meditation?  Let God be God.  Selah.          

Two are Better Than One

Another popular movie theme – partners having each other’s backs etc…  Jesus sent his disciples out in two’s.  Man is not complete without woman.  Partners are not supposed to be prideful or emotionless but are to be humble and transparent before God and each other – confessing each other’s sins and failures and uplifting each other in prayer before an almighty God.  This is true friendship and love in any kind of friendship or partnership.  But without the threefold chord – without God being the third party as the foundation and holding it together in wisdom and understanding, it will not be as strong as it can be – in marriage, friendships, business partnerships, etc…