So while we were in class today discussing “No Exit” it came up that in the story, skit, whatever you want to call it, there lies the undertone and blatant reality that each character in some way or another is wanting someone else to fulfill them. They want affirmation, validation and all that. Each one of the characters was waiting to hear the confirmation they desired from one person or another. I started thinking again how this ties into a believers life. Waiting for the confirmation of others to fulfill us will lead down a “deserted road”/empty fulfillment… Only Christ can fulfill us in the way we truly desire. People, no matter how close they are to us, will still hurt us and let us down. Their confirmation will never be truly enough… Do not get me wrong, it is good to be affirmed by friends, but think about it, we can receive affirmation one day and still seek it from those same people the next. Why do we seek their affirmation when the only that can truly fulfill us is Jesus Christ’s? We are to seek Him and His will for our lives. Seek His seal of approval (which come through being sealed by the blood of Jesus Christ).
I also liked when Dr. Abernathy said, if you need a mirror or someone to confirm you, you don’t know who you are. It takes me back to the verse in James 1:23 - “For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror.” This verse is rather self-explanatory so I will just leave it at that for whoever reads this to think upon. How often do we hear the word of God but then after hearing it stop there? We feel His leading but turn a deaf heart, ear, mind, or body of service to Him?.
Ps - Lane
I began thinking somewhat on the same lines, Joy. While affirmation from others is encouraging, it cannot fully fulfill a person. It is really easy to get caught up in wanting acceptance and confirmation from those around us, but in the end, if we are serving God, that may not come. If we are followers of Christ, we should be assured that He loves us regardless of whether or not we receive the affirmation we desire from other people. Christ should be who we look to for fulfillment in life.
ReplyDeleteI wrote a comment and it was so eloquent- now it is gone. Essentially I totally disagree with you. I don't believe you can fit our Christian beliefs into your understanding of the text. Just as the true meaning of The Little Mermaid, is not found in fundamental Christianity. Yes, we can look around and see God everywhere yada yada, but truly in this work Sarte is god, and if the author has made himself god there is no room for Christ and our fundamental faith beliefs. I don't know how to explain this more fully in this little box other than to say, we cannot always presuppose our believes into other people's literary works...Another example, House, he is just not a Christian (Yes, a TV show character) we can respect him for his knowledge and sarcastic flair, but we cannot find a deeper Christian meaning other than the obvious blinking light of the sinful man who wants to be without God. This however STILL takes away from the meaning.
ReplyDeleteTHe point of this piece is the spiritual natural of Existentialism which asserts that one's authentic self (insert whatever term preferred) has to be found singularly. Thus, the assertion that Christ is needed in this piece is actually in direct opposition to author's intention.
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