I haven't seen The Passion movie yet... Friday night. For Christians I have a concern. Will it be just one more emotional experience... the kind that movies, in fact, are made to evoke... or will it actually call us to a deeper desire to contemplate the cross.
We have such an expectation of "instant." We expect instant food, instant information, and instant transformation.
I expect to have my heart stirred by the movie. In fact, I want to have my heart stirred by it. But real transformation does not come in instant packaging.
I would like to get more from the movie than just a quick stir. I want my heart motivated to take the desert road... to carve some time out away from it all to allow the real work of contemplation. This has, historically, been one of the great transformation experiences. Nothing touches the heart like resting at the foot of the cross, taking in the love, the sacrifice, the passion, the heart of the One who gave all... and entering into that place He has made for us next to His wounded side. Gazing upon the reality of who He is and what He did. These experiences are spirit to Spirit, life enhancing, heart transforming. The cross is our central encounter with God.
My concern is that we, as Christians, will feel like we have spent time at the cross when, in fact, we haven't. We just went on a mediated, one-time, heart-pounding ride. Stirs us for a few moments, maybe even days. But then... it fades. Not a bad thing at all. But really... not enough for me.
I'm asking God to give me just a little more of a taste, a thirst, a hunger... through it all... to be with Him.
(Feel free to post comments on this devotional blog, on your own daily devotion, on anything relating to contemplation, lectio divina, loving God.)
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