It begins with a question.
In the 1979 Paramount pictures released the first in a series of movies based on the popular 1960 TV series "Star Trek". Though the TV series had a cult-like following ever since it first began in 1966, producers were not so sure how it would translate onto the big screen especially when facing the high cost of producing a high-tech picture. Still the core of the sci-fi drama remained to successful to pass up. While careening through the universe at warp speed, the crew of the Enterprise finds the same problems of pride, greed, jealousy and fear in all parts of the universe, in all cultures and practiced by every species. As Spock would say, "Fascinating!" Yet to millions who tuned in regularly,Trekies as they are known, their mission "to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilization. To boldly go where no one has gone before," resonated with something deep and was too irresistible to ignore. We all fancied ourselves as adventurers in life. With a mission that would consume our hearts, minds and even our lives. Any adventure with really taking on involves risk. The greatest adventures risk everything. So when the Kirk, Spock and Bones find themselves in a dangerous situation, we envy them a bit and live vicariously through their ingenuity, courage and confident which we so often lack in our day-to-day experiences.
Even though the characters had aged a bit by the time movie came out, the story line and the drama of the movie reflected the most basic human desire for adventure, danger and our search for strange new worlds. This first movie, however, proved to be extremely popular making over $146 million.
The movie has so many religious overtones and moments with clear spiritual intentions that one wonders if the script was written in a seminary or in Hollywood. A novice crew of the redesigned Enterprise is called upon to intersect a powerful force that has already laid waste several outposts. The "entity" as it is referred, in ominous, powerful and dark. It is the evil we must face.
It all begins with a Hunger. There is a need in all of us for something more, something that compels us, a Drive if you will, to be fulfilled and complete. But what does "complete" mean? Do we know what we lack? For the most part we don't, we just feel this emptiness, a void where there should be none. It's like we're trying to remember a melody to a song we don't quite remember. It's like having phantom pain from a leg that isn't there, but you know should be. What are we missing, can we find it again, do others feel this way or should I just go back to normal life?
Some people will try fill the emptiness with themselves, with power, privileged and possessions. But that never works for very long because there are always new toys to be had, greater challenges to be overcome and smarter and more beautiful people to compare ourselves to. Of course we all know people caught up in this cycle of moving on to the next great fad, more bling and overstuffed garages. Add to this toxic mix that we're all growing old, declining in health, vitality and rushing headlong into oblivion and you have all the makings of terrific nervous breakdown. This is the point at which undeniable reality slams against all our poorly constructed mental defenses. Ouch! This path ends poorly.
But what are were looking for? Why were we looking for something beyond this life, not found in this world? Clearly the solution cannont be found in ourselves, we must look elsewhere. When we face the reality that we all hunger for something beyond our selves and this world, a new door opens.
“If I find in myself desires which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world.” ~ C.S. Lewis
St. Augustine [354–430 C.E] recognized this indiscribable need for meaning and purpose.
“You have made us for Thyself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in Thee.” ~ St. Augustine
Truth - though often painful it must be given its due if we are to get on the right track. A false foundation will fail at some point. If you're trying to solve a mathematical equation, a mistake in the middle will put you off track no matter how much serious effort you put in. You must go back and work from the truth. Truth always precedes humility as the starting point of new growth. But Truth is not a cold hard math problem to be solved but a warm, compassionate Person to be known. You were born because God loved you because God wanted to give you a life that was design especially for you. Without these keys, the doors to the kind of life you're looking for will not open. The answers to who God is, who you are and what kind of life God wanted for you will come in stories to follow.
Humility -- to see ourselves with honesty inevitably leads to humility. No one is perfect and our flaws are forever before us. When uncovered, we're embarrassed and ashamed because we're trying to cover up. If we admit we're less than perfect, a work in progress toward the goal of wisdom and maturity, we're liberated to see our mistakes as signposts on the journey of greater self-awareness. "Blessed are those who mourn (or are sorrowful) for they will be comforted." Mt 5:4Email Subscription: