Recent CNN article entitled, “Audiences Experience Avatar Blues” reported the impact that this movie has had on viewers:“James Cameron's completely immersive spectacle "Avatar" may have been a little too real for some fans who say they have experienced depression and suicidal thoughts after seeing the film because they long to enjoy the beauty of the alien world Pandora…The bright side is that for (those) who became dissatisfied with their own lives and with our imperfect world after enjoying the fictional creation of James Cameron -- becoming a part of a community of like-minded people on an online forum has helped them emerge from the darkness.”
As I read this article, I was struck by the ridiculousness of people’s obsession with a fictitious story; but at the same time I was even more struck by how deeply people long for a transcendent experience with something better or more significant then the world that surrounds them.
I believe that the community that Jesus is establishing among His followers is meant to answer the longing of the human heart for relationships and significance. It provides us with a purpose and hope that both transforms our world and looks towards “His kingdom” which is here and yet also heavenly and eternal.
Let’s re-focus together on this reality so that we can live lives as “aliens and strangers” on this planet (Hebrews 11:13, 1 Peter 2:11).
3 comments:
Wow. That is absolutely ridiculous. I mean, sure, I've wanted to live in movie worlds before, but not to the point of suicidal thoughts...
bman -- Thanks for the comment. I checked out your blog & LOVE it!
This is a good reminder as to how much this world needs Jesus. People are always looking for something (today's obsession with vampires falls into this category) when if they had Jesus they might just be fulfilled.
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