Along with the vast majority of our culture, I can now count myself as one who has seen arguably the highest grossing movie of all time: Avatar. And it did not disappoint. Between the outlandish visual effects, seamless 3-D experience and stunning action sequences, I can easily say this is one of the most entertaining movies I’ve ever watched and hands-down the best movie theater experience I’ve ever had. This is a well-made, mind-blowing, special effects extravaganza with a good story and good dialogue. I can’t say great story or dialoge simply because they were good, not great. The entire package, though, is well worth the ticket price and the drive that may become necessary if you don’t have a proper, 3-D enabled theater near you.
All that being said, there are hundreds and thousands of critical, political and religious reviews about this movie floating around web, and I don’t plan to add to the noise. I read many of these reviews before seeing the movie and walked in fully expecting to have some pretty strong reactions to the film. And that didn’t disappoint, either. I had to fight back the blogger in me and simply sit back and enjoy the film for what it is: entertainment. And after all the tension, adventure and emotional reaction subsided, I found myself walking out of the theater with one word in mind.
Wow.
After the drive home, however, my mind kept taking me back to a specific point in the movie that I really didn’t react to during my viewing. I’ll speak in general terms so I don’t “spoil” anything for you. This particular point of the story is pretty easy to see coming from the opening of the movie, though, so I don’t think I’m giving anything away here.
Near the end, the main character of the movie has basically switched allegiance. He’s found the Na’vi’s way of life to be a better way. They’ve embraced him as such, and he sides with them and makes the decision to defy his own species. Again, pretty stock ideas, here. But there was a line that the leader of the human army spits out at the main character, Jake Sully.
“How does it feel to be a traitor to your own race?”
Jake’s reply? A guttural hiss. A sound that the Na’vi make at enemies throughout the movie. It was at this point you see his full embrace of the Na’vi’s culture and life. He has become one of them. He has decided on a better way. And of all the politically and religiously charged ideology that exists in the movie, this is what I could not forget.
I suppose it’s because it reminds me a lot of following Jesus. We are born and raised in this world and more specifically in our culture. We eat, sleep and breathe it. We are shaped by it. We learn to exist within the boundaries that culture dictates and our needs and wants become defined by our surroundings and those surrounding us. We are part of the system. We are one of them.
And along comes Jesus, in full measure both God and man, and He brings along a new way to live: interactions change; reactions change; mindsets shift; life can’t stay the same. And we get the choice to follow along or not. The Gospel is extended and we choose to buy in or not. We choose this drastically changed life or we choose to stick with what we were brought up in. We all choose.
And when we choose Jesus, His Kingdom, and this new way of life, we also choose a tough road. We invite upon ourselves the the scorn of our peers when we choose to extend grace instead of judgement. We volunteer for shame when we don’t respond with the sword. We risk embarrassment when we become, like our Savior, a servant. When following after Jesus becomes our life, it’s an all-or-nothing transaction. He requires our whole life. He demands nothing less. And in return for our broken and hurting lives, He gives His life. But His life is anything but broken. His life is eternal. His life produces life in others. His life builds up what our life tears down. It’s a radical shift. It’s doing everything different.
And it’s a better way.
When you choose it, though, there will be those who respond with the question: ”How does it feel to be a traitor? How does it feel to turn your back on the things you’ve always done? How does it feel to be a wimp? Why didn’t you hit them back? Why didn’t you tear into them? Why would you lower and debase yourself by serving them? What’s wrong with you? Be a man!”
Who knows how it will play out for you. I know of many circumstances where following Jesus made me look like a traitor to my culture. ”Everyone does it” just doesn’t work for me anymore, though. And I’m OK with that. Actually, I’m extremely good with that. Because every time I let go of something that brings glory to God, I gain life and fulfillment like I’d never known before Jesus.
What about you? Have you had those times where you were tempted to compromise your walk with Christ in order to not have to turn your back on your culture? Have you ever been made fun of for your choices that you knew pleased God? Can we be cultural traitors and still function well in our society?
I covet your responses…
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Hey Robby – thanks for weighing in on the movie! I appreciate your perspective -
I’d not remembered that part you highlighted. I did remember the question, “How does it feel to be a traitor to your own race?” – but Jake’s response. I didn’t realize how powerful that was. He wasn’t pretending, or just going along cuz it was the cool thing to do … with that “hiss,” he was one of them.
That, to me, makes your connection to the life of faith even more interesting. In response to various forms of the question/accusation of being a “traitor” – how do Jesus’ followers respond? In a way that shows that we’re really one with him?
I suspect it won’t be a hiss!
I have to admit sometimes I would like to hiss at some people! =) But I agree with you, I hope that our actions color us in a humble, servant light that mimics that of our Savior, showing us to be on of His own…