Life on Mars
I think we can learn something from the show Life on Mars. If you don’t know the show you should check it out. Sam, a policeman is hit by a car and left in a coma, but then he wakes up in 1973. I’m not sure why the writers picked 1973 but the story is good and can be a picture of life for me, as a follower of Jesus Christ. In the most recent show Sam, the guy in the coma in 2008 makes a step toward “accepting” his situation in 1973. He says that he’s going to start living in 1973 because there are people who are worth it – then he says as long as he’s living there, in 1973 he’ll always be looking for his way home. This is so good for those of us who are looking for another home, not in a different location but a different time. Sam realizes there is a lot to live for right where he is, in his current circumstances, in his current time. It’s interesting that, at that same moment he realizes this, his boss in 1973, calls him friend.
As a Christian there is a lot to look forward to, a lot to hope for in another place and time, there are friends that I miss, one especially that I really would love to see and talk to. We hear the song “I Can Only Imagine” and we can relate, we can only imagine what it will be like to see Jesus, to have no more tears, to finally live as we as humans were intended to live. We will see those who we have lost, to have those who we love whole. I look forward to this, for my son, for my family, for my friend, for others. Still I am here, I am living here and now and there are people all around me here and now, relationships, circumstances - life. Sam sees those people and decides they are worth it. I wonder how many of us can’t see those around us, they aren't woth it.. We’re here in this time and place – whatever this time and place is and there are people all around us to love. I should, we should – as followers of Jesus who are looking to go home – we should live as Jesus lived in the time and place we have. Forget about all the "why" stuff and live today where we are. When we accept where we are God can begin using us where we are.