The Searchlight of God

(Movie spoiler alert)

In a previous post, I mentioned that I include music in my theological repertoire. I also include movies/ television because, well, why not?

Movies and television are an American reality that shouldn’t be ignored. We can’t escape their influence.

From my early school days to the present, I have not totally dismissed the entertainment world.

I remember one day I was thumbing through an encyclopedia in the Southwood Elementary library when my teacher pulled me away to go watch Sesame Street with the class.

Later that evening, I might’ve been tuning in to The Incredible Hulk or Little House on the Prairie.

My cousins and I would make up our own story lines and be characters from our favorite shows. We even liked Emergency! Imagine kids being “entertained” watching firefighter rescues. A show with no flashy anything. Of course, we all had a crush on Randolph Mantooth.

Then, many years later, I found myself absorbed in a sweeping drama called Titanic. I was totally on board that ship until the heartwrenching end. Even the song from Celine Dion grabbed hold of me & wouldn’t let go for days.

Many more years later, I thought about one particular scene and wrote a little sermon about it.

The searchlight scene.

Isn’t that like God, I think.

The great searchlight of God.

It is the god in us that would send a boat back to keep looking for life. To gently move the deceased bodies while searching for survivors.

A great captain on a small rescue boat who persistently says, ” keep looking.”

Keep looking for life. For a living soul that will go on. Or, as Celine Dion sang so hauntingly, so beautifully, the heart will go on.

Isn’t that what this whole “God” thing is about? Salvation? Rescue? Life? New hope?

Sometimes we enter & exit the theater as we enter & exit church. We may want reassurance that something matters. Or, we may just want to be around others for awhile to laugh and enjoy a song or two.

I know it goes much deeper.

But for starters, it is hopeful to know there really are people who will return, again and again, carrying the Searchlight of God.