The American Film Institute has placed Citizen Kane at the top of its list of the one hundred greatest movies. The film is recognized for its groundbreaking cinematic techniques and narrative structure. Yet most enduring is the character study of Charles Foster Kane. It is a haunting portrait of an ultimately isolated, lonely man. His story is brought to us by a biographer who has filmed the recollections and opinions of various acquaintances of Kane. He asks a simple question: Who was Charles Foster Kane? The recollections in themselves fail to paint a picture of the great, but troubled and distant man. They are coloured by prejudice or ignorance, and leave us wanting. The biographer suggests a man cannot be merely the sum of his possessions, actions, or even achievements – there must be something deeper that drives him. Although not ultimately pointing to Christ, the movie was one of the earliest to critique the so-called “American Dream”. What is a successful life? What makes for a fulfilling life? More personally, what is the deeper drive in your life?
This Sunday we begin our next teaching series: same title – Ordinary Joy, but now from the Apostle Paul’s perspective in his letter to the Philippians. Our text for this week will have us reflecting on Paul’s encouragement to the church even as he suffers, with grace, in isolation and loneliness. We will be encouraged to take stock of what makes our life. Paul writes of a wonderful promise of God in Phil 1:6: “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” What is the Lord bringing to completion in your life? Do you have a sense of being ‘on task’ and in God’s will for your life? How about trials; do you struggle to maintain godly perspective in your life is challenging? Paul serves as an excellent example for us. His eternal perspective – knowing he was eternally secure in God’s love and forgiveness, and the ultimate workmanship of God himself, settled him in joyful service to the Lord and his church.
Ultimately, C.F. Kane’s life of vain pursuits outside of trusting Christ mirrors all of our vain pursuits. I encourage you to examine what deepest thing drives you. Perhaps examining what you value and treasure will tell you something of your deepest drive.
I pray that you would know intimately and deeply of the “partaking of grace” that Paul speaks of regardless of circumstance. I know I am looking forward to being challenged and encouraged by our teaching of Philippians, and I trust you are as well.
Much love,
Pastor Gary
