Last week I finally saw the movie Once. Even now, I can’t get it out of my head; its scenes replay in my mind; its soundtrack has literally been on repeat on my iTunes for several days.
To say it shortly, this film has affected me.
By Hollywood’s standards, Once’s budget was essentially nonexistent. Absent were the special effects, the fancy lighting and A-list stars. Instead, it was stripped down to a beautiful core story–two musicians meet, by chance, on a street corner in my beloved UK, become friends, make an album together, and (spoiler alert) part ways.
Oh, one thing I forgot—in the process, they’re changed by each other.
I don’t want to completely give away the ending, so I’ll just say the film made me consider the idea of the journey—because also absent from this film was the tied up happily-ever-after ending. Well, at least the one I was expecting.
I was, and continue to be, reminded that life is really about journeying together with others—sometimes with people we meet by chance. But we have to be open to those experiences. We have to look up rather than at our shoes when we walk down city streets. We have to linger at church after the benediction. We have to engage with our coworkers.
Whether we’re focused on making it into heaven, discovering our life’s purpose or meeting our spouse, as Christians, we often have a tendency to focus on whatever end is in our sight.
But what experiences, what people, what journey do we miss out on when we look down, sneak out of church, and stay quiet at work?
Look up. Be willing. Walk together.
The End. (Just kidding.)
photo credit: Kmeron
I also enjoyed this movie. I am glad you reminded me of it as it has been some time since I last watched it, or listened to the soundtrack. That sounds like an amazing idea on this beautiful day. But thank you for your thoughts on journey. Many of these same ideas have been bombarding me from every direction as of late, which is ultimately helping my plot a new course for that journey. Realizing the importance of every hello and relationship makes much more sense. Thanks.
What might happen if we all gave up the word "community" for the rest of Lent and just practiced it, only practiced it?
I purchased the Once dvd and was really disappointed at the ending. I wasn't even moved by the music. I am amazed at what you guys got out of it. I just want to offload it on someone else, but I feel bad to lend it to my friends!