The Gospel Accourding To Bruce, Almighty Then

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Jim Carrey’s new movie, Bruce Almighty, was # 1 when it opened in a ‘theater near you.’ Rarely do I take notes from a movie, but this one birthed a whole article from me. First a disclaimer . . . the movie is not a Christian movie. It contains bad language (not bad grammar like when I write this newsletter) which I hope none of you be using. I wanted to wash his mouth out with my "Soap For Lunch" song.

The movie does have a song written by Wayne Kirkpatrick (a Christian recording artist) called "God-Shaped Hole." Every one of us has an emptiness or hole in our heart which can only be filled by God (Ecclesiastes 3:11). Unfortunately, we try to fill it by achievements, relationships (boyfriends or girlfriends), money, drugs, television, computers, etc. We all try to play God (like Bruce in the movie) by thinking we know better than God what is best for us.

The movie mentions that God knows every action and thought we have ever had (Proverbs 15:3, Psalm 44:21). Bruce had a huge filing cabinet full of his ‘sins.' Our sin has separated us from God (Is 59:2).

In the movie, when God gives Bruce His power, He mentions that He cannot force anyone to do something against their free will, for instance love God or make his girlfriend (Jennifer Aniston) love him. The Bible agrees that God does not force us to love Him, but gives us free will. This means we may make wrong choices . . . or even do evil things when we turn our back on God and choose not to love Him. ". . . If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching . . ." (John 14:21-24) This is another reason why prayer is not always answered ‘yes’ the way we sometimes want it to be. Jim Carrey’s character decides to grant a ‘yes’ answer to everyone’s request. As a result, all those asking to win the lottery did win, but ended up having to split it with everyone else. They each get about $7. This caused angry people, riots, etc. Bruce concluded that being ‘God’ wasn’t as easy as he thought.

Finally, Bruce realizes he is not God and in an epiphany moment, throws his arms up and says, "I surrender to you, God." He is saying "You take my life, You be God of my life," which is what we all need to do. I know what some of you are thinking, "Gee, thanks Larry for spoiling the ending for us." Well, don’t worry, I didn’t give away the unbelievable twist ending where we find out Bruce’s father is Oh Be One Kanobe, his girlfriend just wants to be ‘Friends’ and that Soylent Green is people! (Teens, you’ll probably have to ask your parents about that last reference.)

At that point his prayer is no longer to get the job promotion, or more money or fame or to get his girlfriend back. He unselfishly wants her to be loved by someone who can see her through God’s eyes . . . someone who can love her the way God does. As Christians, we should all seek to love and treat others as God would.

The wacky bum holding up signs throughout the movie that most want to ignore, ends up being God. That should remind us that the way we treat others, even those we ignore or want nothing to do with, is the way we treat Jesus. "Whatever you do to one of the least of these, you have done to Me." (Mat. 25:37-40)


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