A month ago I wrote a blog entitled The Muppets are Liars
It came from a place of beginning to heal from some past hurts. It came from a place of loving the Muppets but knowing that life is not like a movie, much less one we write.
Even, as I wrote the blog, I knew there was a part two. While the opening number of the new Muppet movie conveniently entitled "The Muppets" starts with a song that could easily be interpreted to be stating that things are grand when there is one by your side (and therefore not grand when you are alone). However the film's ending speaks of community, acceptance, and being stronger as a whole than as an individual (even paired individual) pieces.
SPOILERS BELOW FOR THE MUPPETS
(you have been warned-cause apparently spoiler warning are good etiquette here on the interwebs).
Act II of the Muppets ends with a song entitled "Man or Muppet." The two main characters must decide what they want most in life and then choose to pursue it. I first saw this film at a sneak peek in August, less than a week before leaving for Chicago to pursue what I want most in life.
A new Muppet named Walter is told that while he believes in other people that is the easy thing. Walter is admonished that eventually he will have to believe in himself. Now without getting into the idea that we are all okay and can make our dreams come true (I am looking at you Muppet Babies). There is the fact that if we believe that we can't do anything, than we won't.
In the middle of Act III The Muppets, despite kidnapping Jack Black as celebrity guest host for their theatre saving telethon and then loose their theatre and the Muppet name due to a maguffan of a clause in their 1979 Rich and Famous Contract.
At the films denouement, Kermit gives an impassioned speech about how it was not the name or the building that made the Muppets special. By telling all of them that he believes in them, Kermit lets all of his cast-mates and friends know that they are a like a family to him.
The finale has the entire Muppet cast sing a reprise of the "Happy Song" that began the film. Now instead of a a focus on family (Gary and Walter) or couples in love (Gary and Mary), the song takes on a new significance of community. The Muppets are what I like to call "found family." They are more than mere friends, they are family. There are roles of leadership and roles of support. Those in leadership look to allow everyone to find their voice. Believing in each other, believing in self, and becoming what they want to be have always been the themes of the Muppets and their found family.
Now where in ourselves should we look? Some will say to ourselves, or to God within us, or even the god in us. This particular blog post is not about the answer to that question (I'm sure everyone here knows my answer).
This blog post is to say that in a time where I am learning to follow my passions and believe in my worth, I am eternally grateful for the community that surrounds me here at North Park Seminary. Listening ears, open hearts, acceptance, encouragement, a hot dish brought to potluck, a game of pick up basketball, or even a smile. All of you have upheld me this semester. Thank you so much.
--Serving Him alongside all of you, just from further away
--Jesse Letourneau
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
A Year Ago Today
Today I sit in a Caribou Coffee, wearing my new (thanks to my church's generosity) blue fleece and listening to the sounds of the customers blend with the pop/semi-acoustic/coffee house stylings of music carried by the PA system; looking out over an overcast December sky in Illinois.
A Year Ago I sat in a coffee shop/restaurant in South Africa listening to the testimonies of Merv and the other South African men on the team speak of the impact I was having on the children of that country; looking out over the interior of an upscale mall a world from home.
My mind has wandered back to South Africa several times in the last few weeks. The contrasts are striking.
Today-cold and overcast
A Year Ago-hot and clear
Today-Miles with no topography
A Year Ago-Table Mountain always in the backdrop
Days full of activities and people
Days full of books and computer screens
Learning through service
Learning through lecture
A Year Ago- Confident in who I was but unsure of how to move forward
Today-Confident I am on a path, but unsure of who I am
A Year Ago-moving forward, learning, growing, healing, confidence
Today-stillness, learning, stretching, refining, questions
A Year Ago I wrote in my journal about being on a hero's quest.
Last November I did brave things. I flew across the globe, made sandwiches, played games, sang songs, changed lives.
Last August I did a brave thing. I flew across the country (okay, only half way, but I am trying to construct parallels here). I have made friends and memories, played games and sang songs. But now it is my life that is changing.
I feel like the journey has halted. But it hasn't, the movement has simply stopped. However, in any good story, especially a quest, there is time to stop and survey, time to stop and struggle, a time to wrestle and overcome.
A Year Ago God assured me that I was made for a purpose. He reminded me that he wanted my availability.
Today God is teaching me that he wishes to remake me into his image. He is reminding me that what he needs is my availability.
Both are for the same purpose. That purpose is to bring all Glory to God.
A Year Ago I knew what but not how.
Today I am learning the how, and praying for the strength to pay its cost, knowing the what still lies ahead ...
...on this ever onward hero's quest.
--Serving Him alongside all of you, just from further away
--Jesse Letourneau
A Year Ago I sat in a coffee shop/restaurant in South Africa listening to the testimonies of Merv and the other South African men on the team speak of the impact I was having on the children of that country; looking out over the interior of an upscale mall a world from home.
My mind has wandered back to South Africa several times in the last few weeks. The contrasts are striking.
Today-cold and overcast
A Year Ago-hot and clear
Today-Miles with no topography
A Year Ago-Table Mountain always in the backdrop
Days full of activities and people
Days full of books and computer screens
Learning through service
Learning through lecture
A Year Ago- Confident in who I was but unsure of how to move forward
Today-Confident I am on a path, but unsure of who I am
A Year Ago-moving forward, learning, growing, healing, confidence
Today-stillness, learning, stretching, refining, questions
A Year Ago I wrote in my journal about being on a hero's quest.
Last November I did brave things. I flew across the globe, made sandwiches, played games, sang songs, changed lives.
Last August I did a brave thing. I flew across the country (okay, only half way, but I am trying to construct parallels here). I have made friends and memories, played games and sang songs. But now it is my life that is changing.
I feel like the journey has halted. But it hasn't, the movement has simply stopped. However, in any good story, especially a quest, there is time to stop and survey, time to stop and struggle, a time to wrestle and overcome.
A Year Ago God assured me that I was made for a purpose. He reminded me that he wanted my availability.
Today God is teaching me that he wishes to remake me into his image. He is reminding me that what he needs is my availability.
Both are for the same purpose. That purpose is to bring all Glory to God.
A Year Ago I knew what but not how.
Today I am learning the how, and praying for the strength to pay its cost, knowing the what still lies ahead ...
...on this ever onward hero's quest.
--Serving Him alongside all of you, just from further away
--Jesse Letourneau
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)