Scrolling Credits

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So the eye can’t say to the hand, “I don’t need you,” or in turn, the head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.”
-1 Corinthians 12:21

A few weeks ago, I saw a movie in the theater with my family. That’s the second time I’ve done that in one year, which must be a record for me (thanks to half-price Tuesdays!). But I always enjoy the experience, being able to be so fully immersed in storytelling and human expression. The movie was a blockbuster with an exciting ending. 

Ever since a friend told me over a decade ago that he intentionally sits in reflection for five minutes in the theater after a movie concludes, I've tried to adopt that practice. It allows me to think about the themes and the art of each film without moving too quickly to verbal processing or whatever is next on my schedule. So when everyone stands up to walk out, I like to just stay put. I’ve started doing this at home, too. My family really loves when I do this (that’s sarcasm).

I began by considering some of the themes of redemption and loss that the movie covered. But almost immediately, my eyes were fixed on the screen again. The end credits were rolling. And they just. Kept. Going. Minute after minute of names. Thousands of people were listed. Each time there was a paragraph break, I was sure that it was over, but another crop of artists, stylists, musicians, costumers, or engineers would scroll up onto the screen again. 

It lasted much more than my standard five minutes. I was mesmerized. 

Everyone knew the names of the headlining movie stars. But even the best actor is just a YouTuber with a cell phone on selfie mode until they get a crew behind them. It takes the population of a city to make a movie!

I was at a potluck picnic on Sunday evening with our interfaith clergy group. It was a simple gathering of people from different cultures and religious faiths coming together to share friendship, food, and stories on a summer evening. And my friend who began the picnic with a blessing expressed thanks “for all the hands that made this food—not just the ones who brought it here, but the many who labored to plant it, pick it, and raise it.” 

And I thought of those scrolling movie credits. 

I am continually surprised by how myopic our perspectives are when we think of interconnection. On a national level, we currently act as though we do not need other countries, and that there is no lasting impact if we destroy relationships with other governments that we’ve worked peacefully with for decades. Yes, I’m speaking of our immature battles with Canada (and Mexico), among others. 

And within our own country, half of our farms are understaffed because we are experiencing a national shortage of immigrant labor since the US has begun vilifying anyone not born in the United States—which has ironically created less work for US-born Americans as well. We are so interconnected, even when we deny it. And this impact happens in so many other ways as well. The moment that we think that we are self-made, independent people who do no need others is the moment that we no longer feel a responsibility to love, support, welcome, and advocate for people outside of our demographic. When the actors forget they need the screenwriters, and the grocery store shoppers forget they need the farmers… well, everyone will find out soon enough how that goes. 

These issues should matter to people of Jesus, for several reasons. Our theology requires admitting that we aren’t independent. Core to our identity is the beauty of living in grace and living in trust with Jesus. The Holy Spirit that Jesus breathes on his disciples is a source of strength and love, and a reminder that we do not walk alone. We need forgiveness, love, and encouragement moment-by-moment to live differently in the world. Jesus promises that he’ll be with us, providing that much-needed support. 

But Jesus also gives us the church—a community of people who are learning how to live as radically “interdependent” people. We learn that we belong to each other and it’s not weakness to need each other. We realize that none of us is intended to walk with God alone (BTW if someone told you once that you are ‘married to Jesus,’ that’s a problematic individualizing of a communal faith… and weird). The Scriptures speak of the church together being the “bride of Christ.” We were always meant to be an endlessly scrolling community of shared contribution and relationship. 

That understanding can then help us look around even more broadly and value the contributions of all people, and all the lives out there around us. We need each other to function in a healthy way. We need each other to keep our humanity. And we need each other to learn what God looks like with skin on that’s different than ours. 

Where have you overlooked the value and contributions of people whose names are rarely listed in the headlines? 
Where have you started believing a story of independence when Jesus is inviting you back into interdependence and gratitude? Where can you appreciate and affirm the many ways that God made humanity to work together and care for one another today? 

Let’s keep believing that another world is possible. 

Jesus, thank you for creating us for community. 

Peace,
Keith