To Change the World


Previously posted at Faithfully Liberal --- To Change the World -->

Evan Almighty, recently released on DVD, is really a silly movie — but it’s still fun and it has a nice message. Steve Carell is local anchor man who becomes a congressman who is sucked into the seductiveness of power politics who prays and is visited by God – played so well by Morgan Freeman. I think that says it all – at least it sets things up. At the heart of the movie is Evan’s campaign slogan – “To Change the World,” or at least something like that.

To change the world, that is a tall order. It is something that sounds good, and yet is difficult to pull off. In the movie, which I finally watched with the family on Saturday evening, the Noah story is recast as a kind of anti-development/pro-environment story. I think most readers of this site can get on board with something like this. But to change the world requires something that is mentioned often in the movie – at least through the lips of God (Morgan Freeman) – and that’s patience.

As I’ve mentioned before, I’m nearly 50. I’ve had my ups and downs. My earlier idealism has been balanced with a bit of “realism” – read pragmatism. As a follower of Jesus, I hear a call to change the world, but life seems to get in the way – or at least my choices often do.

But back to Evan and his calling – he had no choice – his beard continued to grow and his clothing wouldn’t stay on – at least his non-Noah-like clothing. The animals gathered in his yard, waiting to go on board. The ark is completed just in time and Evan saves the day – because he finally gave in and did what God required of him (along with help from his family and some of the animals!)

Life doesn’t work that way, of course. But, the fact is, changing the world, which is the heart of the gospel (2 Corinthians 5) requires much of us. Sometimes more than we wish to give. Isn’t that part of the message of the cross – being agents of reconciliation may require everything of us. Being a bit of a pragmatist and now more realist than idealist at times, I hear the word of encouragement, take it one step at time and be patient. Perhaps that is the course we must take, lest we give up in frustration. What do you think?

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