Monday, November 12, 2012

Pilot

But that's the funny thing about destiny: it happens whether you plan it or not. I mean, I thought I'd never see that girl again. But it turns out I was just too close to the puzzle to see the picture that was forming.

That  is the closing remark of the pilot episode for How I Met Your Mother. It's important to begin with the end in mind because I think many shows, this one in particular, end on a good/positive note irregardless of how the episode may start.

The idea of destiny is a thrilling one to think about. Is life made up of chance, or do we control our future? I would argue neither. This show has been marketed as a love story from the beginning, a "love story in reverse" and yet I believe in a true storyteller that transcends the story this show is trying to tell.

In this episode, our main character Ted meets a woman across the room for the first time and is love-struck. But this guy is a planner, he can't just go say hi. No, he'll "wait until she goes to the bathroom, then strategically place himself at the jukebox so that" -- and that's when his friend pulls him in and introduces this mysterious lady.

He thinks and over-thinks and plans his moments. Is planning wrong? By no means, although...
The heart of a man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. - Proverbs 16:9
Ted is right in one sense, destiny happens whether or not you plan it, and just because you plan something doesn't make it the right plan. Destiny is simply a name we give to the by-product of its creator. God is ultimately the supreme planner who leaves nothing to chance, whether that is in our relationships, our careers, our personal development, and our locations.

As Christians our desires should be living out God's story, because the picture that is forming is going to look more beautiful than the puzzle pieces we are holding in our hands now.

No comments:

Post a Comment