"Work In Progress"

The last animation short that we saw on tuesday was extremely brilliant and beautiful....I can see why Professor Leeper loved it so much. The world that was created there makes you feel like there is endless adventure and possibility, and that evil will never have a foothold as long as the little girl has a say in the matter. When Leeper at first suggested that we envision God as a little girl, I admit that my first reaction was kind of disdainful and critical; not because of any rational reason, just an instinctive response. However, when I watched it I felt like the comparison was absolutely spot on. The girl portrayed God in His peace, beauty, wisdom, and power all at once in magnificent harmony. I felt simultaneously drawn to her goodness and in awe of her control over everything. The chaotic atmosphere that came with the two men working on the giant "thing" was so opposite of the little girl's demeanor that I almost couldn't imagine the two coming in contact. But then when she did show up in the messy workshop and bring life to the robot-thing, I almost felt a sense of hope; hope that there isn't anything or place that cannot be brought to life, only if she would choose to do so.

The obvious comparison between her and God is, I think, one that actually helps me further appreciate who God is and how He cares for His creation. I find myself often thinking of God as really authoritarian and always measuring me up to His eternal standard. This then makes me feel hopeless and lifeless, as if grace really does nothing at all. But God is not like that, and I feel like this animation has helped me hold onto a picture of an essential characteristic of God that I typically find difficult to grasp. God is the ultimate authority, yes, and He does want me to grow and mature so that I can be more like Him. But He is SO much more than that, and I think that the most important thing to remember about my relationship with God is that He loves me. Also he is incredibly funny and creative (hence the world and our sense of humor), so this makes life a lot more meaningful in my opinion...because even the small, wonderful, fun things come from God. Like the chihuaraffe....