 |
| Faith is a Journey |
As a writer, I know how difficult it is to
write from my Christian worldview—from a faith that is ever growing in truth
and grace.
As a Christian, I know how hard we can be
on one another.
As a Caring for the Heart coach, I know
how damaging emotional pain is to our ability to give and receive love, even the
perfect love of our Triune God. When someone touches our pain, we react.
Those three perspectives motivate my
thoughts.
In deciding whether to enter the fray over
the merits/demerits of William Paul Young’s novel The Shack and the recently released movie The Shack Official Movie Trailer, I wondered if
anything I had to say could enhance the discussion. I don’t like controversy,
but I do enjoy an amicable debate. Most of what I’ve seen written surrounding
the movie’s release qualifies as highly contentious in my book—though I admit
my meter tends to run on the sensitive side.
I almost kept silent on this one. The
ruckus is just too loud for my liking. I don’t like name calling. I don’t want
to be called names. So can we agree to not do that here?
I’ve read Young’s book more than once and
went to see the movie on opening weekend. I’ve read many of the reviews written
by the pros and my Facebook friends. I’d say if I took a poll, it’s about a
50/50 split. Both sides adamant they are right.
But then I heard Paul Young tell his
own story. Those who know me know I love to hear personal stories and
love them even more if the storyteller includes God’s activity in the story. I
don’t ordinarily watch TBN, but tuned in when I saw that Paul Young would be
telling the story behind The Shack. Restoring the Shack
As Mr. Young spoke, I tried to understand
his heart. I listened to him relate his story of childhood sexual abuse and
spiritual abuse as a son of missionaries. My Caring for the Heart training and
experience heightens my awareness of how what happened to us as children
influences our relationships as adults—with our spouse, our children, and
especially our God.
Young acknowledged being the victim as a
child; I can respect that. But he didn’t stop there. He continued by confessing
his own sinful behavior as an adult and the explanation of his process of
repentance and reconciliation. He was clear to point out that he had been the
perpetrator; I respect that. I listened to his heart yearning for redemption of
the pain from his past.
I will not condemn this man, his work of
fiction, or the resulting movie. What I see is a man who is trying to explore
difficult topics, sharing with others how God met him where he was and loved
him through the hard places. I can’t cast the first stone, because I walk this
same path. Sometimes failing. Other times succeeding. Nonetheless, walking with
my God who is forever faithful in helping His children unlearn the lies we have
believed and teaching us His truth.
It is my prayer that the Lord will use the message of The Shack to start dialogues with Him in
the midst. He is perfectly capable of correcting any misconceptions. Mine.
Yours. We don’t have to defend God, but we do need to allow space for Him to
speak. And for us to listen.
I want to be a part of the healing
conversations. How about you? Can we agree to not use words as weapons?
