Today I found myself staring up at 6 movie posters in a neat and tidy row in the blistering cold. On Saturdays, I tend to appreciate some time alone in the afternoons, thus I found myself standing in front of the movie theater, contemplating what movie I wanted to see.
Out of the list of movies, Chronicle, The Woman in Black and The Vow were the only ones to truly spark my interest. Problem was, I saw The Woman in Black last weekend with a few friends — despite my better discernment — and planned to see Chronicle with a few others this week. Here is where I found myself figuring the times for the latest Nicholas Sparks film, The Vow.
I looked at the time on my cell phone and realized I had another 30 minutes before the movie started. Realizing this, I decided it was as good of time as any to hit the bookstore in the same shopping center, to kill some time.
While there, I read a few chapters of Joshua Harris’ Boy Meets Girl (the one and only Josh Harris book I have yet to read), was tempted into buying a Walking Dead t-shirt, cheap Radiohead CD and buying into the fascination with The Hunger Games. All the while, texting a sister in Christ.
We were discussing a conversation she had with a friend of hers last night about legalism vs. grace. Now, honestly, that is a completely different in and of itself that I will likely get to sometime this week. But it was through this conversation that she began to explain to me that her friend had sent her a lengthy text last night, trying to convince her that it was not a good idea for her to go see The Vow with her roommates. As I’m sure you can guess, my friend rebuked him.
Now, before I delve any deeper into this story, I want you guys to understand what a Godly girl she is. I can assure you that The Vow likely didn’t do much harm to her heart, but that’s honestly between her and God. What I want to focus on though is the thoughts that surfaced in me during this conversation. Convictions, even.
I’ve never been too much of a romantic, but chick flicks grab at my heart if done well. As a Switchfoot enthusiast and admirer for pure romances, A Walk to Remember is one of my all-time favorite movies. There’s really nothing much wrong with a good, clean chick flick every once in awhile. In fact, I’ve been secretly excited about The Vow and that new Zac Efron movie to come out soon.
But should I really be?
These past few months, God has shown me a lot about what it means to guard your heart. Guarding your heart isn’t something you do in the face of evil doers. It’s something we have to do on a daily basis. As Christ followers, we’re called to take a look at the state of our hearts, our deepest longings and largest idols. And this is exactly what I was trying to convey to my friend today when we discussed why The Vow may not be a movie for everyone.
These last few days, I’ve been struggling hard against new found affections within me for someone in my life. Desires and affections I simply am not ready for. I was telling my friend, actually, that it is absolutely breaking my heart that I’ve allowed this to surface because I had finally reached a point in the great race where I was truly waiting. Not just talking about waiting, but waiting. I was content in singleness and running fast after Christ and Christ alone.
Which is why this conversation was convicting me so much. I mean, really! The state of my heart is in no shape to be fed romance in any way, shape or form. I don’t care how sexually pure it is. It’s emotional porn in every aspect of the word and I suppose you could say tonight is the first time I have really, truly realized that.
Listen ladies. We can sit around and condemn our brothers in Christ for watching hardcore or softcore pornography all day. But what about the log in our own eyes? You know what I’m talking about. You know that romance novel on your bookshelf? The chick flick you fawned over with your girlfriends or in solitude over a pint of ice cream the other night? Or that time you layed in bed and fantacised your own personal Notebook love story?
It’s all emotional pornography. There’s no ifs, ands, or buts. It doesn’t have to be sexually driven to be destructive for our hearts or in our pursuit for Christ.
This Valentine’s Day, as the world throws all of its definitions of love your way, I hope and pray that you turn your eyes upon His truth. Don’t feed your desires and longings for a boyfriend with a romance movie. Your purity is too sacred for that, dear sisters. Aim for Christ. In all you do, aim for Christ. Take a good look at your heart. What turns you away from your pursuit? Is it romance? Do you desire a boyfriend more than God sometimes? I know I sure do. And I think it’s about time I start taking some serious steps to getting all these grimy little stumbling blocks out of my life. The movies, the books, the songs and all.
If it doesn’t awaken your heart to the power of the Gospel in some way, or if it slows your down, causes you to stumble or maybe even stop your sprint towards the Cross, then you can bet that it is not at all edifying to your relationship with Him.
Be careful, brothers and sisters. Keep fighting the good fight. Deny your flesh, deny your emotions. Look upon Christ and live the Gospel centered life we are all called to live. He is better. I promise you this: He is much better. He is the meat. The four course meal. And that silly little Nicholas Sparks movie? It is but a piece of candy to your dying, starved flesh.
Be blessed.
sisters, read thisss… so good.
