Wednesday 8 July 2009

I’m not a huge fan of romantic type movies. I’m more of a blow up a car, jump off a moving train, fight your way through before taking out the bad guy (in a spectacular way of course) and rescuing the girl.

Is that not romantic, but just in a different way? I am not sure my wife would agree. Although it is probably because of her that I have taken in a huge number of romantic comedies, romantic tragedies, romantic dramas…

However as you watch these movies a certain plan seems to develop…

1. Girl meets boy
e.g. Maria and Captain Von Trapp, or Jack and Rose
2. Girl and boy have large barrier stopping them getting together.
e.g. She is a nun and he is her boss, or they were born into different classes and so could never get together.
3. Girl and boy realise that they do actually love each other (finally) and that the problem that exists is nothing compared to their love for each other.
4. Girl and Boy face sudden new problem, which throws them apart.
e.g. The war comes to Austria and Captain Von Trapp is to be forced to go back to war which would have terrible consequences, or boat sinks.
5. Girl and Boy make it through this and can only be parted by death itself…
e.g. Fleeing across the mountains, into the sunset. Dramatically making it off the boat together.

It has to be said though, Jack and Rose were separated by death about 2 hours later, but you get what I am saying.

On another point , you may not know this but, during the Cold War, the BBC planned to broadcast The Sound of Music on radio in the event of a nuclear strike on the United Kingdom. The broadcast would be part of an emergency timetable of programs designed to "reassure" the public in the aftermath of the attack. (?)

This 5 point plan seems to work well in Hollywood and we see pretty much the same story in Ruth. Now that they have finally got together there is, suddenly that new problem which appears – there is someone else who is a closer relation to Ruth and therefore Boaz is trumped. (See point no.4 above).

This happens in life all the time. Something is sorted, and then suddenly it is not. I heard someone say once that “Life is 10% what you make it and 90% how you take it”. I admire those people who make life happen for them, but I admire even more those who have had life change through death, crisis or failure and take it in their stride, knowing God is with them and believing in His bigger plan. What an example! S0… get out there and, today, when your car doesn’t start or you forget your keys or lose that important page – smile and keep going! (See point no.5 above) Your example could change lives.

Until tomorrow,
Sam