 | The fact you missed this proves my point. |
He's the quick-talking man behind the monitor as Oliver and Joe O'Toole film what appears to be some kind of promotional video for the United States Postal Service. One would be quick to assume he's a director---after all, he stops filming and instructs Oliver, "Don't look up." Yet as quickly as the nameless, mono-chromatically dressed Director appears, he seems to disappear, but not before offering Norman a nice title and a bit of flattery, too.
Assume nothing, friends.
This man is Glynis, but in his most dangerous form. More sophisticated in his strategies, this nameless enemy preys on the peripheral---attempting to reach you in ways that are almost imperceptible until they become internalized, prone to wreaking spiritual damage you don't see until it's too late.
Assume nothing, friends.
This man is Glynis, but in his most dangerous form. More sophisticated in his strategies, this nameless enemy preys on the peripheral---attempting to reach you in ways that are almost imperceptible until they become internalized, prone to wreaking spiritual damage you don't see until it's too late.
"Don't Look Up"
| In the moment, in the context of the television commercial, "don't look up" made sense. But in a spiritual sense, this was absolutely a trap. We already know from a previous post I wrote that Oliver, as late as One In A Million, struggles to keep his eyes on God, or "look up," especially when stressed or under pressure. This nameless Director not only calls Oliver by name, but offhand instructs Oliver to do the exact opposite of what he needs to do in order to improve his spiritual health or find confidence. |  |
It would be just like the enemy to employ a similar tactic with us, exploiting places where we might still be vulnerable or underdeveloped in our faith to throw us off in ways of which, like Oliver, we might not be fully cognizant.
Fortunately for Oliver, he may not have looked up when the cameras started to roll again, but he did the next best thing---he looked at Shane. Instantly Oliver's posture and performance improve as he works his way through the script. Ever his personal cheerleader, and increasingly a reflection of Christ in his life, Shane became "where [his] help [came] from" (Psalm 121:2) in that moment, putting Oliver back on track.
Fortunately for Oliver, he may not have looked up when the cameras started to roll again, but he did the next best thing---he looked at Shane. Instantly Oliver's posture and performance improve as he works his way through the script. Ever his personal cheerleader, and increasingly a reflection of Christ in his life, Shane became "where [his] help [came] from" (Psalm 121:2) in that moment, putting Oliver back on track.
Good & [He] Knows It
It's clear Norman only meant to make the commercial as accurate a representation of the hallowed institution he serves as possible, but when you're as well-versed a student of U.S. postal history as Norman, it isn't hard to stand out---especially to the enemy.
Norman may not be vulnerable in quite the same way as Oliver, but all men (and women) are vulnerable to pride when egos are stroked. For someone as pure of heart as Norman, the easiest way to corrupt his pure heart---and brilliant mind---would be to poison it with pride.
Norman may not be vulnerable in quite the same way as Oliver, but all men (and women) are vulnerable to pride when egos are stroked. For someone as pure of heart as Norman, the easiest way to corrupt his pure heart---and brilliant mind---would be to poison it with pride.
 | And, of course, the Director doesn't waste a second flattering Norman with a job offer and nice shiny title in Washington. It almost doesn't seem to register with Norman at all, and perhaps that's why the enemy presses a little harder at the Mailbox Grille. To tell Norman he was "being wasted...in Denver," is "good and [he] knows it," and that he's "too humble" may well be the Director's opinion---but it also sets Norman up to become prideful. Incorruptible as always, however, Norman focused not on the praise---the flattery---but on the directive to "think big [and] be bold." |
Proverbs 16:18 reminds us that "When pride comes, then comes dishonor, But with the humble is wisdom." With counsel from Rita, Norman chooses wisdom while weighing the offer, which he ultimately rejects, avoiding the poison of pride.
I'm not saying the Director rolled in here with a nefarious agenda or even that he's the enemy personified. What I am saying is it would do us good to recognize and remember that we have an enemy, and while we also know him as Glynis Rucker, his tactics are not always going to announce themselves in people or circumstances as in this case. At just the right angle "the Director" can misdirect us in the most subtle of ways, and, if left unchecked, can result in some serious spiritual damage.
Fortunately Oliver and Norman offer us some solutions. They remind us where our Help comes from and to seek His wisdom and wise counsel in all that we do and in all decisions we make. By doing so we lessen our chances of taking our eyes off of God, or being tempted by tactics designed to do so.
More Aware,
~C
I'm not saying the Director rolled in here with a nefarious agenda or even that he's the enemy personified. What I am saying is it would do us good to recognize and remember that we have an enemy, and while we also know him as Glynis Rucker, his tactics are not always going to announce themselves in people or circumstances as in this case. At just the right angle "the Director" can misdirect us in the most subtle of ways, and, if left unchecked, can result in some serious spiritual damage.
Fortunately Oliver and Norman offer us some solutions. They remind us where our Help comes from and to seek His wisdom and wise counsel in all that we do and in all decisions we make. By doing so we lessen our chances of taking our eyes off of God, or being tempted by tactics designed to do so.
More Aware,
~C
RSS Feed
