James and the Oscars

The Oscars always generate a lot of buzz. Morning news shows interview all the actors I've heard of but never seen or the ones I've never heard of and now am supposed to see but rarely the ones I've seen who aren't nominated for Oscars.

On Tuesday, our small group was talking about living out Christian lives in front of coworkers and how we can often be held to a higher standard. We asked, suppose James was sitting right here with us, what would he say about it? Count it pure joy. See the opportunity. Live genuinely--and be careful what genuine is! Be slow to speak. We then stepped back a bit. What about the situation to which James writes? He writes to a group of people with factions in their communities because of money. But he writes with instructions in how to live in the midst of it and that it should be resolved. Perhaps James realized that the opportunity for witness from a group of people who had come through such faction and fighting was greater than that of a community that never had any troubles at all. Likewise when we fall short of the standard of Christ, there is often a greater witness in our response to it--our apologies, our humility, our attempts at reparation--than had troubles never happened at all.

Back to the Oscars. Why all the buzz? I think it's because a good story is something humans appreciate. And yet we always need new stories. What were the five nominees for best movie last year? I certainly can't remember. We always need new stories to be energized and entertained and engaged. Wonderful thing, then, how our lives are always little episodic stories that, with God's help, can be weaved into one large one, thereby remaining fresh while coherent. What's the witness of our stories--especially in the midst of trial?