I love movies. Old or new. Western or Comedy. Sci-fi or Drama. If you ever make it to a game show and need a lifeline for 1980's movies trivia, just call me. You name it and I've probably seen it. A close friend of mine and I often joke about just how many movies I have seen over the years. In the 1980s the television was my babysitter and I camped in front of the television. Snacks and drink in hand.
Some movies start at warp speed. In Star Wars they call this "hyperspace." You know those movies that from the opening scene to the end it barely lets you breathe. If you slip out for popcorn you miss something important. I have to say that this disturbs me. Yes, I am a movie snob. I think the way to maximize the movie-going experience is to be in your seat at least 20 minutes early. Never done that? Then next time you go to a movie look around and spot the person that is in the prime seat—dead middle, eye level with the center of the screen. That’s what 20 minutes early gets you. Popcorn, snacks and drink in hand, nothing will move this person from their secured spot for the duration of the movie. That's usually me!
Since the pandemic I have loved watching theater movies at home. Misty and I have often decided to do "pay per view" movies instead of going to the theater. This has really spoiled me! I am never more than a few steps to the fridge, pantry or bathroom. Guess what? I still have the prime seat—dead middle cushion, eye level with the center of the television. Popcorn, snacks and drink in hand, nothing will move me from my secured spot.
When you read God's Word that's where you need to be for God’s story. Its opening scene also starts with a relentless pace that doesn’t let up. The first line reads, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). Right off the bat we find the main character in this story is not you or me. It’s God. Just ten words in and there is enough action to leave you breathless. As the "movie" plays out we can see that God creates all things until he reaches the greatest creation. Birds? Nope. Animals? Not quite. Sun, moon or stars? Bright guess. No, in Genesis 3:8 we find that God is walking in the Garden with Adam and Eve in the “cool of the day.” With the warm season we've had this year that sounds nice, doesn’t it? And yet the “cool of the day” is not the focus. God is, and He is near. He is right with Adam and Eve. And He is right here with us. His simple vision for His creation was to spend time with them every day, to take a walk with them. God’s will is to be with us.
Some of us have lived our lives with the idea that God is some angry cosmic kill-joy who sits on a cloud and watches us, waiting for us to make a mistake so he can zap us in the rear end. Maybe you've thought that God is distant or that He doesn’t care or HE has simply forgotten you. But from the beginning He has shown us this is not the case. He wants to be with you. He has not forgotten you. In fact, this might be the perfect time for you to go for a walk with Him. In the meantime, you've got the best seat in the house.