Imagine.
Imagine that the world around you is not true reality.
This is a concept that has been pondered and explored over and over through literature and film. But the 2010 box office hit movie Inception puts a slightly different spin on the issue-
What if the world around you was actually a dream cleverly designed by someone else? What if you could create a dream for others, travel inside it and plant an idea in their minds?
In a fascinating plot of dreams and reality, protagonist Dom Cobb is a professional “extractor”- essentially a thief who steals ideas from the dreams of brilliant businessmen before they have a chance to act on those ideas. The film's main plot begins when Cobb is offered an even riskier job- inception, the planting of an idea in another's mind via dreams. Along the way he assembles a team of brilliant dream-thieves, encounters unexpected mental bulwarks and struggles with his unfulfilled desire to leave his work behind and return home to his two motherless children.
I had heard many great reviews on this movie, but this weekend I was finally able to watch it and appraise it myself. Honestly, I was not expecting to like it because I had heard it was thoroughly confusing. But surprisingly, Inception's clever plot and unique twists blew me away! I truly enjoyed every minute of the movie. The mental challenge of the concepts was both stretching and fun. It was definitely not a typical science-fiction movie. In fact, I found it to be more artsy and emotional, qualities that I enjoy in a movie.
However, as I thought about it further, I noticed that I have had a greater interest in fantasy books and movies lately. There is nothing wrong with fantasy, in and of itself, but it too often seems like an escape from reality. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that Satan often likes to make us think that fantasy is better than reality. This is why it is so crucial to analyze the message of movies like Inception, which question whether reality is better than the dream. For some (like me), tuning out of life's difficulties and turning to fantasy can be a great temptation. As I pondered this temptation, God brought Psalm 4:2-3 to my mind-
“O men... How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him.”
I love this passage because it gives the reason for turning aside from vain lies- the LORD has set apart me apart for Himself. He hears me when I call to Him. He desires an intimate relationship with me. This is reality, and it is beautiful, indeed, far more beautiful than any fantasy world you could ever think of! Lord Jesus, keep me from the love of vain lies. Show me the beauty of reality in the gospel. Help me to embrace that awesome truth of Your love.
