Sunday, 13 September 2009

  • Good For What It Is or Three Dollars Worth of God

    Good For What It Is or Three Dollars Worth of God I understand there was a film this past weekend -- a top-notch sci-fi movie with great special effects and a strong story -- developed for under $30 million and it made all its money back on opening weekend.  The movie features no-name actors, a no-name crew, behind a no-name director.  It's a success, and those who've seen it are buzzing about it. 

    I'm glad someone took a risk on doing a picture this way.  Why do we need the big name actors, directors, and writers demanding multi-million dollar salaries when it's entirely possible to do a low-budget high-quality film with a significant return?  How many great stories are out there that never get noticed because it doesn't pass some studio peer group test?  Or it's caught in up in some kind of studio battle and gets stuck in limbo?

    Meanwhile, G.I. Joe cost $170 million to make, and it's not going to make its money back.  I've read the reviews that give it praise like, "A good popcorn movie," or "Good for what it is," or "Pretty decent summer flick."  From my perspective, that's a terrible review of a film.  If it's "Good for what it is," that's bad.  A $170 million picture should be quite a bit more than "Good for what it is."

    All of this coupled with the sermon that my pastor gave in church yesterday has got me thinking about how we present ourselves as Christians.  Is the way that we present Christianity just, "Good for what it is"?

    "Yeah, that Gabriel, he's a pretty good guy.  I mean, he calls himself a Christian and I don't know of him mowing down people on the sidewalk in his car or anything.  I don't hear him cuss people out and he doesn't get drugged out and stuff.  So I guess he's just good for what he is."

    If I've been saved by the grace of Christ, if I've been given eternal life, if I've got a personal relationship with the God of the universe -- then I hope to heaven that my life is quite a bit more than "Good for what it is."  I want to proclaim my faith.  I want to live this hope that I have.  I want someone else to look at me and not see me.  I want them to see Jesus.

    The religion of the world is "Good for what it is."  Anyone can be a good person, right?  I know that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.  I don't need to be reminded.  But a person can live a decent life, not murder or lie or steal, not cheat on their wife or neglect their kids, and not have to be a Christian to have this kind of morality, right?  Well that kind of life is, "Good for what it is."  What is the difference between that person's life and a person who has given their life to Jesus?

    Consider this poem my pastor read by Wilbur Rees.  It's called Three Dollars Worth of God...

    I would like to buy $3 worth of God, please.
    Not enough to explode my soul or disturb my sleep,
    but just enough to equal a cup of warm milk
    or a snooze in the sunshine.
    I don't want enough of God to make me love a black man
    or pick beets with a migrant.
    I want ecstasy, not transformation.
    I want warmth of the womb, not a new birth.
    I want a pound of the Eternal in a paper sack.
    I would like to buy $3 worth of God, please.


    Are we letting God transform our lives?  Are we living with the God of all creation?  Are we communicating with Him, reading His word, living the life He sent His Son to show us how to live?  Or are we living a life with just enough Jesus to get us into heaven?  Perhaps we're staying away from doing ungodly things, and that's great.  But are we moving toward God in the process?  As my pastor pointed out, if your goal is just to stay away from ungodliness, then you're always tip-toeing the line between right and wrong.  But if your goal is to draw closer to God, then you're automatically avoiding the ungodliness!

    I don't just want to live a good life.  I want to live a full Christian life -- one that exemplifies that Christ lives in me, one that longs to be in the presence of my Savior and to love Him, one that is humble and considerate of others -- rather than wanting to live with just enough religion to get me into heaven.  There should be a difference between just being a good person and being someone whose life is changed by Jesus.  I want to live a life that's more than just "Good for what it is."

    James 4:7-8 "Submit yourselves then to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Come near to God and He will come near to you."

    Is your Christian life "good for what it is" or do you live better?

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Comments (6)

  • LoBornlyte@xanga

    Listen up peeples!  Here's the secret to giving God his 3 dollars' worth.  Find your gift.  Find out what you're good at.  And then go for it.


    Most of the trial and trivail of life comes from the denial or ignorance of our own personal, God-endowed gift.


    We are created and designed for happiness.  As a result, happiness is effortless.  Quit working so hard to find it!  All you have to do is STOP!  It's right there.
  • ionekoa@xanga

    "I understand there was a film this past weekend -- a top-notch sci-fi movie with great special effects and a strong story -- developed for under $30 million and it made all its money back on opening weekend.  The movie features no-name actors, a no-name crew, behind a no-name director.  It's a success, and those who've seen it are buzzing about it. "


    but it wasnt worth naming aparently. if you are talking about district 9 here, yeah you're right, it was amazing. i WILL be buying it when it comes out on DVD.


    GI Joe also a great movie, and i hope they make a sequel, i say that as one who was NOT looking forward to another hollywood butchering of childhood memories.


    im wondering though, what it is the recommendation when, no matter what we do, the film is panned by critics and audiences alike. frankly, if i had to equate my life to the movie biz, i would say it was cancelled preproduction due to a lack of interest. i couldnt sell my script to a starving village if it came with a lifetime supply of food.

  • TrumvilleOrbison@xanga

    ummmmmmm i love that poem.


    also: i so want to make a film! i've got the camera..
  • TheSutraDude@xanga
    It's great when a low budget, no-name independent film is a hit. Hollywood is mostly about making money and the surer the bet, the more sense it makes to the backers. On the other hand, Julia Roberts' smile lights up a theatre like nobody else and she deserves the credit she is given. 
    I know that's not the point of your post. 
  • DanceofShadows@xanga

    Reading your post makes me realize how much I have been living my life in the "good for what it is" mindset. I think the problem is that we as Christians are too often told what NOT to do and not often encouraged and held accountable in the right thing to do.

    I appreciate the post!
  • Faerie_In_Combat_Boots@xanga

    @LoBornlite@xanga - Oh, the words of wisdom! I agree wholeheartedly.

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