Real and Not Real

This morning I heard a reviewer talking about the holiday weekend movies, the blockbuster live-action film with some added fantasy characters versus the close second-runner produced by animation. I'm certainly not opposed to fantasy of either type; although I didn't grow up with TV cartoons, I read the "funny papers" just like every other kid.

I began to think, though, about the difference between real and not-real when it comes to being a follower of Christ. I think I know some "Transformers," like the shape-shifting robots in the movie. In church, they smile and sing and pray just like everyone else. You wouldn't be able to tell them from the "real thing" just by looking. But in other surroundings, they present themselves differently. At home, they don't smile and sing and pray; they scowl and scold and complain. At work, they snarl and criticize and gossip. In traffic, they grit their teeth and "cuss" other drivers and take advantage if they dare. Not a pretty picture.

Animated movies are fun usually, even sweet, but not real either. And I know some of those Christians too. They are nice, but not very substantial. They too look fine, but their worship is just something one does on Sunday morning. Home may be pleasant enough, but not able to give its members strong purpose and encouragement. Work means avoiding conflict, even if one has to compromise to do it. Not an attractive image either.

Fantasy and make-believe are a pleasant diversion, but it's not what life is made of. Animation has been raised to an art form, but it's still not the same as flesh-and-blood. We are called to live a real faith in a real world.

MaryMartha