So today I watched this movie called Into the Wild and I really liked it. If you haven't seen it and want to without knowing the ending... don't read this post. :) Although I saw it after I knew the ending and I still enjoyed it.
So the movie has a lot of negative criticism because the main character denies society by going "into the wild" of Alaska without a map and ends up dying because he eats a potato root which is very poisonous. Many see the journey to Alaska as a death sentence and don't think he should be viewed in such a heroic light. In my opinion, he did what he did and it sucks that he dies, but I still think the internal struggles that are portrayed are worth examining and writing about. So I am going to do just that.
The thing that really got me thinking about posting a blog was a song that's in the movie called Society. (I will add the Youtube video with lyrics at the end of this post!) The song talks about how society is so greedy and how we won't be really freed until we have it all... like we live in this state of always wanting more and so the peace of not wanting more never arrives. Later in the song there is a powerful section that talks about how wanting less isn't necessarily the answer because your whole set of values is still based on stuff... just having less of it. The song doesn't lead you to an answer of where you should put your focus or attention... but that it definitely shouldn't be on having stuff.
So now that you all get the foundation of my post I can actually articulate my thoughts!
So the movie is based on a true story about a kid who appears to have sincerely struggled with society and the desire to get more and have more. It appears that he lives a simple life managing to save $26,000 through college which he gives to a charity before he goes on his adventure. Before he goes to Alaska, he goes on a 2 year trek around the United States and into Mexico on a voyage to vanish off the map. Many reviews that I read about the movie are people wishing to do that- sell everything they have and go be hippies on the open road.
Before I continue my thoughts I am going to add a story that will help you all understand my story a bit more. :)
So this movie reminded me a lot of my dad who is probably the closest person I know that really is a hippie. When he was 25 he and 3 buddies rode their bicycles (before they had mountain bikes!) from downtown Detroit to La Paz, Bolivia. It took them a year. Around the same time period he also taught English in Taiwan, climbed a bunch of mountains, and started a bike ride that still exists today in California called Sea to Summit. This past year he has ridden over 10,000 miles on his bike throughout the country. I love hearing his stories and it's kind of fun that my dad loves the freedom of the open road. But I also know that it is not a life that is to be romanticized. It's pouring down rain, wet and cold; 100% humidity in 100 degree weather; it's hurrying to the finish before the hurricane gets there; it's loving sleeping on picnic tables; and sometimes really lonely.
So I just want to say that I am proud of my dad for having his adventures and being one who has continually tried to deny society in his own way.... but I also want to offer another way to have the same thoughtful framework without having to deny it all for the open road.
As a Christian, the idea of denying self is pivotal to my faith and signifies my allegiance to Christ. Obviously I fail miserably every day, but desire to keep working at it. One of the greatest things that I long to deny is stuff. As I mentioned earlier, having or not having stuff is insignificant- it's the foundation behind the desire. I must ask myself: why do I want this? What void is it filling?
My desire is to be all consumed with Christ and not desire anything outside Him. When we are consumed with Christ we are able to cast off all the falsities of this life- we are able to find ourselves in Him- knowing that we are walking in light of salvation and working as agents of recreation. In other words, my denial of stuff is a recognition that those things won't fill my voids and won't make me happy. And also that by not spending money on those things I can give more money to aid organizations or churches or people who are in need.
When I think of the movie I can't help but connect the idea of going "into the wild" as a state of mind rather than ditching it all and going to Alaska. Staying in Detroit and choosing to connect with the poor and the struggles here is kind of like my "wild". It's my rejection of society and the American dream. It's my clinging to Christ and the life that I see Him leading our family into. As the main character meets lots of people on his rode journeys- so I long to meet people here and share stories... and most importantly, the love of Christ.
Admittedly, our trip to Africa this year was an attempt to try and go off the grid and deny the desired life.... and seriously it was the most difficult adventure of my life. But I still see the possibility of us returning to Kibuye to continue the work there...both in the hospital and in the church. But even if we never get the chance to return, I know that I don't have to go finding adventure because we are in it... now.
Anyway, I really liked the movie. It made me think a lot about wanting to deny the things that are filling voids... but only because they draw me closer to Christ and not because I want to be a hippie. (That's my struggle!)
So watch the movie and see what you think. And to all my Christian readers out there... let's help one another continue to walk into the life of righteousness.... "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14
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