Artificial Sweetener
CJ and I had a date tonight. We went to Panera Bread, had dinner and talked. Then we headed out to the movies. I think the last time we went to the movies together was to see The Chronicles of Narnia. It's been awhile.
We saw the Pursuit of Happyness, with Will Smith and his son Christopher Smith, starring in it. Warning, don't read any further if you want to see the movie yourself!
It was a pretty good movie. It had all the right features to it. It was adapted from a true story. The father, Will Smith, is dedicated to his adorable son, Christopher. Smith is also a very hard working fellow who pursues an unlikely career for himself and succeeds. And he does so, in the midst of serious hardship. His dedication to his son and to pursuing his ultimate career is tender and loving.
To any normal American dreamer out there, the movie was well done.
However this is how I viewed it.... artificial sweetener! What is artificial sweetener you ask? It's when you put in some sort of man made sweetener that is supposed to be like sugar into a dessert, so that it will taste "good."
Smith's character, looked at the rest of the world, and saw that happiness came from a good paying job, a nice house, and a fancy car. Friends, that is artificial sweetener.
At one point he is in a church listening to worship music and he holds onto his child with such love, that I teared up. You could tell that his love for his child was genuine.
But I wanted to (lovingly) yell at him and say, "Your missing it! Happiness is only found in the true Living God! Cars, houses, interesting jobs, all of that comes and goes. The only "thing" that will always be in your life, is Jesus Christ!"
Because the bottom line is if your looking for happiness in the things of this world, it may taste good now, but in the end it will leave a bad taste in your mouth. Cars, money, a good job, will never bring hope or satisfy you. A relationship with Jesus, will.
In the end, The Pursuit of Happyness reminded me of Splenda and Equal. It was okay, but not nearly as sweet as Real Sugar!
PS - how many times have you ever heard God been referred to as Real Sugar???
Posted in: on Friday, February 09, 2007 at at 11:39 PM
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I hated that movie for pretty much the reasons you said. First I felt it was a downer. Everything that could go wrong, did throughout the whole movie! Then at the end the viewer gets a measly 2 minute reward to see him "succeed."
That doesn't even touch the part that you highlighted of the shallowness of his pursuit! Considering he lost his wife in the whole in the pursuit of success and money, I don't think he came out on top! I get so tired of seeing our society lifting up and celebrating this kind of success. A child grew up without his mom, that is sad and shouldn't have been overlooked as it was in the movie.
Thank you on-fire for the opportunity to spout this! Feel free to delete this as it is probably not the place for me to get on my soap box! After seeing the star reviews that it received, it was nice to be able to share with someone who also felt they missed the boat.
By the way, I'm so glad you and CJ got a night out! Happy Belated huh!
I haven't seen the movie - no worries, you didn't ruin anything. Wasn't planning on seeing it.
To quote Pastor Dave "once you have the real deal, substitutes will not be accepted". He was talking about God and His signs and wonders but I think it applies to what you have posted as well.
never heard God referred to as real sugar. but i like your thinking. :) thanks for the review, it is appreciated!
I haven't seen it but it seems as though you reviewed it like I might would have...
That is such a great word picture for pretty much all the things that the world tries to pass off as valuable - merely artificial and substitutes for the real thing. Gave me some great perspective - Again! Thanks :)