I spent some time thinking it over after viewing it, and pondering why it had inspired me so deeply. In many ways, I felt it embodied an attitude of my generation; a restlessness found common to those comfortably-routine, yet dissatisfied youths. A ubiquitous desire to go, seek, and find something meaningful that can't be found in the everyday banality of the life we lead.
For some, it's the realization of a false promise among those who've grown up hearing it: that lasting satisfaction could be found when obtaining the "American Dream" (i.e. a "happy" family, car, dog, job, swimming pool, weekend vacations, Hollywood holidays, etc). Many of us grew up in families where the American Dream was a (perhaps near) reality, yet honest, soul-sustaining satisfaction eluded us. The result of this disappointment is a lingering desire for a richer life.
I think the filmmakers recognized this disposition, too...Or it could just be me; maybe I'm projecting that idea onto others. Regardless, I could tell the movie spoke into this shared restlessness and longing.
An unanswered question of "now what?"
With this in mind, I liked how the film inspired action -- it had a strong call to stop the petty talking, musing, and hoping of a different present-tense, and actually doing something about it. So often I find that I am daydreaming of the "what-ifs" or the "could-be's;" I ponder the possibilities, yet I hesitate to act and move because of earthly fears. Walter Mitty obviously feared many things at the beginning of the movie; his uncertainty to actually do something--anything--was very relate-able.
Through various events (I won't spoil the movie), Mitty was challenged and inspired. He started doing stuff. And that stuff, while as dangerous as he had feared, was rewarding. He changed the climate he was in; and, more importantly, he was changed too. It reminds me of that famous quote, "a ship in harbor is safe -- but that is not what ships are built for."
We all want this. We see the vivid life Mitty develops, and we desire to follow his lead in dropping the humdrum to find it.
But how?
My sister's take-away was simple. "Man, now I want to buy a plane ticket and travel!" This, at the surface, is the solution the movie proposes. It pins the resolution to the question of "now what?" around Life magazine's mantra--"To see the world, things dangerous to come, to see behind walls, draw closer, to find each other and to feel. That is the purpose of life."
To
see things thousands of miles away, things hidden behind walls and
within rooms, things dangerous to come to, to draw closer, to see and be
amazed and to feel that is the purpose of life
Read more at http://www.wnd.com/2013/12/walter-mitty-dreams-up-the-purpose-of-life/#Ai16mfuvsLVuQoH3.99
Read more at http://www.wnd.com/2013/12/walter-mitty-dreams-up-the-purpose-of-life/#Ai16mfuvsLVuQoH3.99
To
see things thousands of miles away, things hidden behind walls and
within rooms, things dangerous to come to, to draw closer, to see and be
amazed and to feel that is the purpose of life
Read more at http://www.wnd.com/2013/12/walter-mitty-dreams-up-the-purpose-of-life/#Ai16mfuvsLVuQoH3.99
The entire movie culminates into this idea.Read more at http://www.wnd.com/2013/12/walter-mitty-dreams-up-the-purpose-of-life/#Ai16mfuvsLVuQoH3.99
Mmh. Inspiring. Warm fuzzies. Yum.
And yet, I honestly have to say, not very constructive at all. Quite "fluffy."
I still appreciate and enjoy the movie because I find myself mobilized, as I could sense many other audience members were too. We were energized to move and do. To go and achieve. To find, feel, and connect.
But moments after the credits began rolling I found a deeper question nagged me, deeper than the "now what?" which had been seemingly answered.
... "For what?"
Granted, my enthusiasm about the film was mellowed with this realization, but I have to admit I wasn't surprised in this result from a secular movie.
Even so, I left the theatre with a calm assurance and an renewed purpose. While Walter Mitty didn't propose an answer, I knew God had already addressed this issue before the script was even penned.
For what do we go? For what purpose would a ship leave a safe harbor? (because that's obviously not what we're designed for)
Why do we do it, or anything for that matter?
--For Him.
And believe you me, my God is all about the going. He is all about seeing us changed. He is all about seeing His Kingdom and name glorified in our lives, in our relationships, in our countries, and in the earth. He is all about loving us, and us loving Him. My God isn't stationary or lax, nor is He content to see the helpless and weak stay helpless and weak.
Check out this song that I feel highlights this idea:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGDVlOKoOoE
Jesus even directs us: keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking. Seek Him. Seek his will and kingdom here. Seek witnessing His love to the lost. Seek the perishing with the same intent of a God leaving Heaven to become a baby; of a Father sending his only Son into a humble form for the purpose of "God with us." Emmanuel. God's love isn't lukewarm. It's radically active and ravishingly real.
Now, that's lasting. And satisfying. And of more than enough value to act upon. That's a reason I would leave a harbor.
Would you?
One question now remains: Why not?
