Fast Forwarding Through Life

Earlier this week, I watched a movie called "Click". I don't normally post reviews of movies I watch, but this one surprised me. It has some language issues - so it's not for everyone.

"Click" stars Adam Sandler, so you might be expecting a comedy. There are some funny moments, but it is much more of a drama. The basic premise is that Adam's life is out of control - between work and family commitments - and he's looking for a way to reign it in. He heads to a store to purchase a universal remote control for the TV and what he gets is a "remote to control his universe". He can pause time, fast forward, rewind, and even jump back to past events in his life. Seems fantastic until he abuses the "privilege" by fast forwarding through potentially painful parts of his life.

He skips fights with his wife, laborious work at his architecture firm, and anything else that gets in the way of pursuing what he feels is most important - his career and personal success. Not only does he get to jump ahead, he avoids the suffering that comes as a part of life. After a few episodes of this, we then get introduced to the "catch" - the remote begins to operate on its own based on the owner's preferences (for example - it fast forwards anytime he gets in a fight with his wife) and although he seems to skip ahead in time, his body is still there, going through the motions of living. You can probably see where this will end up - failed relationships with his family and poor health, but success financially and in his career.

An amazing portrayal of the trap many of us fall into! I have thought, "Boy, I can't wait until..." with regards to many areas of my life - finances, kids advancing life stages, changes in relational situations at work, difficulties at home, etc. You get the idea. Maybe similar things have come up in your life as well. The movie has a very strong message against "going through the motions" and "looking forward to..." We end up missing out on much of what life has for us and we lose connections with the people who are closest to us. Too great a price for our pleasure (maybe I should say pain avoidance) and our achievement of success and worldly status.

The movie surprised me in the way it meshes with what James writes about on the topic of endurance in the first chapter of his letter to the Church. How God uses situations to prepare us for life with Him and so that we are ready and equipped to handle everything that comes our way - strengthening faith and relationships with people around us, and giving us perspective for a godly life.

Read James, chapter 1, then watch the movie if it suits you. Remember, they do use a few "choice" words a time or two, so utilize caution when viewing and with who you view it with! Definitely something that will give opportunity to pause and think.