You Pick Who Goes To Hell. Read This For More Empathy! Comments from "The Shack."

Recently I went to the theatre to see The Shack. I didn't go just once, not twice....but three times. This is a "three time" view worthy movie! Before the first viewing, I read some reviews. I found many to be bad and some to be outstanding. Since I had loved the book, I decided to eliminate any expectations and just go open heartedly. There is always good to be received, if you allow it. I'm so glad I did.

Before I list some of the powerful truths that resonated with me, I want to comment on what was the most powerful scene in the movie for me. The scene that I cannot stop thinking about day in and day out is the following.

The main character in the movie is very angry with God because his young daughter was murdered. This father wants justice now from God. He understandably wants the murderer to "pay" right now. God wants him to forgive the murderer which feels inconceivable to him. The character "Wisdom" takes him into a cave and ultimately tells him that he is going to be put in the judge's chair. Only she then presents his two living children in front of him and says I want you to choose. Choose the one who will go to hell. "Wisdom" starts presenting a case for why each one of them could be the chosen one for hell. "She has done this, he has done that..... pick one....choose...choose", she demands. He crumbles (as do I). "I can't; take me instead"..... "Wisdom" then goes on to relate this to God and how he will always leave room for redemption for all his children. He will always love and have hope for every single one of us and not give up.

This scene has so many implications to me. We so often walk around the earth comparing our wrong doing to others in order to make ourselves feel better when the truth is that God just doesn't see it that way. We each fall short. We each come from unique backgrounds, pain sources, genetic make ups, thinking patterns, environments, role modeling, worthiness levels, coping skills etc..... there is just no way to compare. Perhaps we should be "judged" more harshly if we have had a great upbringing but just fall a little short. Maybe that's worse than a murderer who hardly had a chance. The point I received is that God wants us all to succeed. He wants every person to be allowed opportunity for forgiveness. Until we take our last breathe it is never too late to live a better life. That right there is the epitome of love and hope. This in no way implied that we aren't responsible for our actions or do not have consequences. It only implied that there is always hope and we are always loved.
This scene challenges me to remove comparison and remove judgment. It challenges me to live my personal best life and keep my eyes forward and not behind me. It challenges me to work harder at self-forgiveness and remove the critic from within.
If you haven't seen the movie, I recommend you watch it with an open heart. I believe there is a lesson for every single person in this movie. Try to go in viewing it as spiritual inspiration and not religious doctrine. It's powerful at many different levels.

Here are just few other powerful truths in this movie that are blog worthy in the future.

• When all you see is your pain you lose sight of God.

• We were created to be loved. If pain is left unresolved we can forget what we were created for.

• We are not promised a pain free life. God doesn't stop a lot of things that cause him pain. He will heal it if he's invited to.

• God can make incredible good out of tragedies but it doesn't mean he orchestrated the tragedy.

• Pain robs you of joy and cripples your capacity to love.

• Forgive the same thing 1000 times before it gets easier. It's okay if you don't fully feel it the first time. You probably won't! It takes practice.

"The Shack" in this movie represents going within for answers to life's struggles and mysteries. It challenges us to accept that we just don't understand all the mysteries. Going into the shack is coming face to face with God and yourself. I'm writing this to you from my "Shack"(both literally and metaphorically) where I do a lot of self reflection and work. I will be inviting a small (about 5) group to attend some "Shack" sessions. I will be outlining this in my subscription email. Please sign up for notifications if you might be interested in attending. It will be both life changing and fun! Laughter is one of my mottos, even during deep discussions!

What is your favorite insight from The Shack?  Comment below. SHARE and LIKE to help others surrender their inner critic and help the world become a better more gentle place to exist. Promote empathy just by clicking share!

Consider yourself loved, worthy and invited,

Cindy