Does art really imitate life?

Does art really imitate life? In many ways it does. In fact, though we now may not focus so much on what we perceive our needs to be, (especially since finding them met in Christ), we need to remember that people who have yet to follow Christ have those same basic needs and we are not as different from them as we may believe.

It’s not a difficult thing to insulate ourselves from the “heartbeat” of the world, as if we have nothing in common or we could become “soiled” by close contact. Let’s remember Jesus was not like that. He got right into people’s lives. He touched lepers, prostitutes, broken people. While I’m not quite naïve enough to believe that everyone wants to be saved or will be saved, I am convinced as was Jesus, Augustine and even Maslow that we all have universal needs and that many of them will not be satisfied until rest is found in God.

We hear whispers of longing in many of the songs our culture embraces. Movies often have an underlying theme that hints for something more than human existence can satisfy. We must recognize as God declared that His image does in fact reside in every human being, even the most destitute and for whatever reason, the most despicable. People are not our enemy. Sin and its effects are. And Jesus is that certain “bridge” that transports us from the depravity and brokenness of our sin over to the embrace and acceptance of our Holy God. He is ever-present to respond to our needs. The lyrics of the following song illustrate well the longing of us for someone and something greater.

“When you’re weary, feeling small.” God assures us, those whose trust is in Him, that “they who wait on the Lord will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not faint.” (1) Strength/support. Isaiah 40:31

“I’m on your side when times get rough, and friends just can’t be found.” Even though we may have many friends we still may come to ruin and isolation . . . . “but there is a Friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (2) Companionship/belonging.Proverbs 18:24

“Like a bridge over troubled water, I will lay me down.” “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down His life for His friends.” (3) Love, unconditionally. John 15:13

“When you’re down and out, when you’re on the street; when evening falls so hard I will comfort you.”  “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, ⁴ who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” (4) Compassion. 2 Corinthians. 1:3-4

“I’ll take your part when darkness comes and pain is all around.” “For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” (5) Understanding. Hebrews 4:15.

Jesus is that “bridge over troubled water” for a world gone astray. Think About It.