Flawless Illusions
One of my favorite movies is the classic named Sabrina. Starring Humphrey Bogart and Audrey Hepburn the movie is flawless. I am not sure why anyone would have signed on for a remake. Nonetheless, one was produced. Harrison Ford and Greg Kinnear helm the main male roles. The movie holds its own. Perhaps I think that because I grew up with it and not the original.
The plot focuses on the female protagonist's obsession over a man she grew up with but hardly knows. Yet, she believes she knows him intimately. Things spiral out of control as the family attempts to divert her attention. The movie contains glass shards in an ass, a merger, a punch, and love. It's wonderful. For the sake of this post, I am reflecting on the remake and not the original.
Early in the movie Sabrina receives some fascinating advice about feeling lonely. She quips "he [her obsession] keeps me company." Her very wise French friend challenges her with a profound statement, "You think so? Illusions are dangerous people. They have no flaws." True confession, I cannot read those lines without hearing the actresses' french accent. Perhaps that is why the line stuck with me.
One of the dangers of not getting to truly know people is that they can become flawless. Whether they are musicians, preachers, family members, or internet personalities the danger exists. In the past, people have used language like "putting them on a pedstal." This is a fine way of speaking. Especially when the individual is recognizable to a substantially large community.
My concern here, like in the movie, are the people we think we know well. These are not the celebrities on the fringe of our lives. I am speaking about the members of our church, our friends, and our families. The people who are close to us but remain at arm's length. The longer we go without addressing each other in honesty, the harder it is to confess our sins one to another. We develop illusions about our family, friends, pastors, and churches. This is not the type of church company that we need - "Illusions are dangerous people. They have no flaws."
Illusions must be destroyed. Through coffee, beers, cigars, bible studies, and movie binges. In learning the intricacies of each other's lives we develop a real community. A community that can see people fall and struggle. A community where people are quick to unmerited forgiveness.
Editor's Note: This post was written before the Tullian announcement. We pray for the families involved while refraining from writing about the subject.
