I recently watched a movie that was based on a book I had read several years ago. It is called “The Shack” and it has been the subject of much opinion since its release. I went into watching the movie with some hesitation because the book left me questioning some of the theological underpinnings that were presented. I’m still not sure that those questions have been fully resolved but much to my surprise the movie really brought about an emotional reaction in me and impressed upon me some truths that I am quite certain are supported by scripture.
- Relationship, relationship, relationship – as I watched the characters interact with “God”, I listened carefully to what was being said and one of the things that came through loud and clear is that God deeply values having a relationship with us. This is true even though we are sinners and terribly flawed. The movie helped illustrate that many people count themselves outside the boundaries of God’s grace and forgiveness when there is more than enough available through the cross of Christ. The movie did well to show that God actively pursues relationships with people, going after his lost sheep with great passion and purpose.
- Love – The portrayal of God presented Him to be a loving “Papa” who mourns over people’s sin and how they miss the great love He has for them. I appreciated how God was shown to possess a deep love for those He has created, even those we feel we could never find it in our heart to love.
- Our ideas about God may not always line up well with scripture – for me, this was one of the strongest points of the movie. What was driven home was that mankind introduces so many non-biblical ideas about God that cause us to move far away from Him. We have this tendency to make things very complicated and we are quick to build walls between ourselves and God that can be hard to take down.
- Be careful when you judge because you may hurt yourself – there is a point in the movie where the main character’s judgements about God and people are called into question by God Himself. In a very watered-down Job-like experience, the character is confronted and comes to realize the many quick and unfounded judgements that he has made about both God and man. God graciously points out to him that these errant conclusions have been the source of much bitterness, anger, and resentment in the character’s life and have really gotten in the way of his loving others.
- Breath – this is perhaps the part of what I took from the movie that I may never forget. In my younger years I accumulated a big-ol’e mountain of sin. Much of this occurred even after God saved me. Because of this I have carried around a great weight and sadness and yes, feelings of guilt, remorse and regret. Perhaps if you watch “The Shack” you won’t walk away feeling like I did but when the movie was done I felt the “shack-les” of much of those feelings had been broken. I believe that in the movie there is a clear message that not only can God forgive our deepest sins, but also that He wants us to rejoice in our being forgiven and to not dwell on what is behind. Indeed, He wants us to press on to the life that He desires for us-one where we enjoy Him and feel at ease with Him while never forgetting He is Holy, Majestic and above all. I think that for many years now I have allowed myself to stay buried under the weight of my past transgressions instead of praising God for how He has forgiven me. Something about the film allowed me to understand this more and for that I am grateful.
I won’t be hurt if one day you come up to me and say that you read the book and / or saw the movie and you feel like it was the worst thing you have ever taken in. I understand that some of the ideas and imagery are not easy to appreciate or accept. So be it. But regardless of whether we agree on the movie or not, can we find common ground on some of the truths that I have mentioned about God? After all, He is a God who loves us and wants to have a deep and meaningful relationship with us. He wants us to come to accurately understand Him through His word and to not make judgements about Him or others that have no biblical or factual basis. He also wants us to remember we are truly forgiven and to praise Him for it. From this, He wants us to be quick to forgive and to love others- warts and all, just as He has loved us. Lastly, He wants to break your “shack-les” – those things that are in the way of you knowing Him and worshipping Him from deep within your heart.
The story of the “The Shack” will come and go, but God never changes and He loves you and me. Bring to Him whatever you believe to be in the way of a deeper relationship with Him and ask Him to remove it. He is truly your Abba-Father and He knows how to give good gifts.
Rob
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