James Cameron is an A-hole

I read an interview with James Cameron right after Titanic came out where he mentioned that he'd written the entire movie in order to get to the central scene between Jack and Rose on the prow of the ship ("Jack, I'm flying!"). The whole movie more or less hinges on that moment, because the story really isn't about the sinking. It's about two people's decisions, and the consequences those decisions have on their lives.

Another example would be Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet. There's a scene where Romeo is comforting Mercutio after his discourse on Queen Mab ("Peace, good Mercution. Thou talkst of nothing."), and after that, he and his friends are talking about going to the party at the Capulet's. At that point, Romeo is still pining away after Rosalind, and his friends are trying to get him to go to get his mind off things, and possibly even find someone else ("if love be rough with you, be rough with love..."). Romeo considers, and even though he has second thoughts ("my mind misgives some consequence yet hanging in the stars"), he ultimately goes. We all know what happens after that.

Of course, these are both ridiculously over-dramatized examples, but they well illustrate the point that our lives are deeply affected by the decisions we make. In fact, I've heard it said that we ARE the decisions we make. I think what that means is that our lives can be PROFOUNDLY affected by a single decision, whether good or bad. This is something I've done badly on SEVERAL occasions, to disastrous consequences each time. While of course I can't speak for everyone, my downfall seems to be that I often act depending on how I'm feeling at that moment, without considering that I might soon feel differently, or without seeking counsel from someone else (usually a good idea to get another viewpoint). There was a catch phrase a while back, and you saw it EVERYWHERE--on bumper stickers, ties, signs, t-shirts, etc--WWJD. What would Jesus Do?

What WOULD Jesus do? That's the hard part. When I think about that now, I take from it that if you're a Christian, you need to involve Jesus in your life on more than just Sunday. You need to ask Him what he thinks about it. Ask him what He would have you do in a given situation. You won't always receive a pointed direction, but sometimes the lack of a response is all the direction you need. But this is not as easy as it seems. Our tendency, one would imagine, is toward self-gratification much of the time, even as Christians. What's best for ME. What do I want to do? That kind of thing. While I can't speak for everyone, of course, this type of thinking has really led me to some wretched decisions.

I think of one situation in particular, and what makes it worse is that I actually did ask someone what they thought this time, and I suppose I even knew what God would want from me. I just didn't listen.

Just before Valentine's day a few years ago, a girl I was very much interested in, and had been flirting with (it had began lightly, but had developed into something of a more serious nature), thought it would be a good idea to have a Valentine's day party, and all the single people amongst our group of friends (we all worked together) would attend. She had just become single herself (separated from her husband--I'm ashamed to say I had a part in that, as well. Something else I didn't consult God about). Since I was the only one who had my own apartment, the decision was made to have the party at my place.

This girl wasn't a Christian, and I knew on several levels that pursuing a relationship of any sort with her would be a colossally bad idea. But I fell for her, so I decided to pursue one, even though my closest friend (who WAS a Christian) advised me it was a bad idea, and dangerous to my walk. Anyway, there came a point in the evening when it was very late and everyone was leaving. The girl and a couple more friends were still there and I remember them standing and her looking back at me. "You guys go ahead," she said. "I'll talk to you later."
I didn't even think about the consequences. I could've done a lot of things. I could've said I was tired. I could've said, "see you later." I could've not had the party at all. But I did none of those things. I just went with the easy choice. And it took YEARS to recover from it. On some levels, I'm still recovering.

I guess my point in all this is mostly just figuring my own stuff out, or trying to. But I think I realize now that even if you don't know God, it's ALWAYS a bad idea to go and do something just because, as the saying goes, "it seems like a good idea at the time." Trust me. It isn't. Think about it, for at least a second or two. Think before you speak, and definately think before you act. Ask someone close to you what they think, and at least CONSIDER their advice.

If you DO know God, then you need to pray about things before you do them, even if it's only a quick prayer.

There's another saying that also applies. "The road to hell is paved with good intentions." Also true.

Anyway, now I try to do the right thing as much as I can, what is right before God. I think about what things will mean to God before I do them (at least I try to--though it isn't always easy). And I have people in my life that I can go to with difficult things, people that will hold my impulsive, dumb-ass self accountable. I will do my best to listen to them...

I don't remember what started me off this morning...oh, yeah. Titanic. James Cameron is an a-hole....