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The Nate Awakening

I went through a long period of time where nothing really moved or touched me. This pretty much stretched over the entire summer and up to the last few weeks. I watched all sorts of film, read a book or two, and listened to all sorts of music that just didn't do it for me. Of course, I recognized when something was "good", but the spiritual connection I used to have with certain pieces felt completely nonexistent.

Thank God, that completely changed this week. I'm not sure if it was the materials I exposed myself to, the time I allowed them to sink in afterward, a mood shift having to do with the changing seasons, or a combination of all the above but I feel that my soul has been rejuvenated.

These were some of the things that have moved me this week.

1. I watched Francois Truffaut's "Shoot The Piano Player" and was reminded of how one's decisions can affect a whole range of events to come, and sometimes we hurt people in ways we never could have imagined but that this is the human condition and we deal with this realization in different ways.

2. I finished "Ender's Game" and was struck by how beautifully this book wrapped itself up and showed how fear and misunderstanding can trigger the worst in us and make enemies of potential allies. It is the ones who are willing to communicate and understand that are ultimately vindicated and set free, and all is never lost.

3. I watched "The Crucible" because I felt like watching another Daniel Day-Lewis performance and was moved by his character's unwillingness to damage his good name.  It got me thinking about whether or not I hold my own name in high regard.

4. I listened to "Drive-By Truckers' Brighter Than Creation's Dark" and it made me love the roots of American music all over again. Now I want to go back and listen to my collection of folk music and focus on the American fascination with being on "the righteous path".

I guess that about does it. Lets hope this inspiration keeps up and perhaps even births some creation on my part. As I was taking all of these things in this week I felt a desire to even start studying theology again. Right now I'm reading "Learning Scripture With The Church Fathers" with the confidence that I have some profound things to learn from antiquity. But for right now, I'm just happy to be enjoying things again.