Okay, so, if you watch CW as I do, after your show ends, you will begin to watch Limitless. This happens every time you finish a series, so you’ve probably seen the pilot 7 or 8 times. The idea is that you unlock all of your brain, and can do anything.
In the course of the first episode, the star of the movie of the same name offers the protagonist of the movie a pill that will enable him to be smarter, much smarter.
But what does he say, “Are you ready to be someone who matters?”
Let’s backtrack a bit, the protagonist, named Bryan Finch, has led a band that is now broken up, and he’s not a father, nor married, nor successful in the eyes of the world and his family. So, he’s struggling to find meaning and purpose, and to justify how he’s lived his life.
Bryan does matter, before all this stuff goes on, because all humans are made in God’s image, as stated in Genesis 1:17. Just because you’re not rich, nor powerful, nor successful, doesn’t make your life worthless.
A lot of us struggle today with this. We’re the lowest ranking workers at our job, we work retail, or any number of other things that affect our perceived dignity. But we matter. Because without those people on the bottom, no one at the top would make money. No one would buy food, get their trash picked up, go to the movies, any of that.
The statement made of the character from the movie is intensely wicked. What about the people who can’t work? What about the disabled? The elderly? Children? They don’t seem to make much of an impact, but again, as I stated, their lives have inherent value because they are human. People who don’t believe in Genesis, and the bible, tend not to believe that. That’s why they abort babies. Well, that’s not the only reason, but that’s a topic for another post.
Finally, the most important job a man can do? Be a husband and a father. It’s not for everyone. But the impact of a faithful father on his children, the impact of a faithful husband to his wife, is more important than any amount of money, fame, or glory the world can offer. I know, because I didn’t have a dad growing up. I have a wound in my heart that the Lord has mostly healed, but I don’t know any man laws or etiquette. I don’t know how to interact with men at any level. I don’t know how to act so my boss will interact with me positively. I don’t know how to interact with my peers in a group settings. I don’t know how to train young men and bring them up in godliness. I have a deficit here that is not my fault.
How many children grow up like me? Because their dads are absentee, they walked out, divorced, whatever. There are so many kids like me. And it breaks my heart for them. That many will have distorted views of God as Father. You want them to be successful? Escape poverty? Bad neighborhoods, and the like? Preserve the father in the home. Let them be given a mother and a father who are married and devoted to one another and their children. That will heal America. And short of that? The church will help pick up the pieces, and mend them. Government cannot fix this problem. Government cannot really fix most problems. It can punish those who do wrong, keep laws enforced so we can live together. But the followers of Jesus Christ are the ones who are placed everywhere to heal the hearts of the broken through the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know, it’s healed mine. And I may have scars. But Jesus enabled me to finish college without debt, provided a job, and a relationship with a wonderful woman whom I love.
Will I get married? Have kids? I don’t think so. I don’t really know. But my pain is bearable, I have peace, I’m not angry at the world. Healing doesn’t always look like you think it should. But it’s healing none the less. And that’s what matters. That it’s available to everyone for the asking. For those who call on the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. O Lord our healer, reach out and heal the hearts of the young people and the fatherless in our neighborhood, in our towns, in our cities, in our country, that they may leave the past behind them, and march toward their dreams, and I pray, into Your kingdom.