Batman: Dark Knight - Part 2

We accept things that stick to the plan.

This is one of the quotes that stuck to me in the movie, and it became more interesting because the movie itself is proving the point. This movie is true to its title in that it portrays a dark world. People die. Bad things happen. But, they skate the line in such a way that people will go back and watch the movie again. Because of the huge Box Office numbers people are beginning to compare this movie to the Titanic. That is another movie that somehow told a tragic tale but wove in a story of hope and triumph. Batman does the same to a degree, but the biggest thing they do is to stick to the "rules" of what is acceptable for most people. For example, it is generally ok for people to die in a movie. Bad people can die and we don't mind. Even the occasional good person can die if it really helps bring a dramatic flair to the movie. But, if you have senseless death, or the death of children in particular... well you will see your movie drop in the Box Office because people just don't generally enjoy that, and they often won't watch it more than once.

So, at this point you might be thinking, "That is slightly interesting and completely irrelevant to my life." Let us bring it home. When I start thinking about the "plan" that I live with, it can be a bit unnerving. I live everyday with the fact that about 30,000 children will die due to causes that are completely curable. I know that people's homes get broken into, or burned down, or blown away in storms. But, it does not really become "real" to me until my house (or the house of someone I really care about) gets broken into, burned down, or blown away. This reveals my own self-centerdness, and the fact that I am willing to let other people's lives crumble and fall as long as my own world stays safe and secure.

God is very different. Scripture tells us that He lives in true safety and security, and yet He was willing to let His own world fall apart in order to come and heal my mess. He invited pain and loss into Himself in order to join me in the midst of my tragedy. And, He never stops giving of Himself until He has redeemed me and brought me back into the world He planned for me. I think that MY acceptable plan and GOD'S acceptable plan are likely very, very different.