Last week, I took my daughters to see the new movie, Tomorrowland. I’ll admit that it wasn’t my first choice, but there really wasn’t much else on. The trailer had intrigued me, but I’d heard a ton of negative about the movie. I was prepared to be disappointed.
Boy, was I wrong. Instead of disappointed, I left the theater smiling, thinking of hope. You hopefully read my post last week on the center of my hope, Jesus Christ. That post came from watching the movie.
My close friends know that I can be a “glass half empty” kind of guy, though I reject the title of pessimist. Rather, I consider myself a realist who easily sees the pain in the world, someone who has experienced the negative in the nature of humans just like Thomas Hobbes declared. However, I do admit that my realism can turn dark and it’s easy to assume the worst, whether in others or in upcoming experiences. Maybe my own study of history has also taken me as I know well the darkness of humanity, and how often the best laid plans go awry.
Tomorrowland does not try to suggest otherwise. Instead, it raises the correct viewpoint that even in the darkest of moments, hope should continue. History also teaches this. Pick the darkest moment you know of from history. Even as death or chaos surrounds that event, most people live through it. Life emerges. There is a path through it and, in future days you will lift up your eyes to feel the warmth of the sun.
I know some think the movie strays into scolding, perhaps a screed about environmentalism. On the contrary, I felt the movie was a growing, resounding exhortation to be a difference maker, to look for the unseen way forward, to be the one with a new idea, new solution, new perspective.
I don’t know if you’ll go see the movie or not. Don’t really care about that. I do think you’ll enjoy it, but regardless. What I wish for you is that you look forward in your life with hope.
Not hope that someone ELSE will come save you, but that you will approach your next steps with an enthusiasm. Think you are worth more than minimum wage…don’t wait on the government, but rather start tomorrow on a journey to a better job whether that comes through new training, education or your own courage to start a new career. Think your college class is too hard…don’t go on some rating site to find the “easy prof,” but rather start tomorrow to read the material more, to reach out for tutoring, to go sit in the professor’s office for aid with the firm hope and belief that you will pass this class.
Hope implies clearly that we don’t have something yet…as the Apostle Paul wrote to the people of Rome, “if you already have something, you don’t need to hope for it.” But, as we live with hope constantly in our hearts, we can take the same view as the young female protagonist of the film and approach the next days of life boldly.
Do it. Have hope. Of course, if you don’t have the foundation of life that I do in Jesus Christ, just message me on facebook or email me…and we’ll talk about it. That’s the best place to find a hope that is everlasting. That’s where the real power of a land for tomorrow, a real Tommorland that will truly change your life.