strangely familiar

a few things have caught my attention recently. i couldn't resist creating a blog post to combine them all.


1. in theatres now! is it just me, or almost all the movies that come out these days sequels, remakes, prequels, etc? anybody in Hollywood have a new idea for theatrical entertainment? i'm not opposed to remakes, don't get me wrong. but wasn't there a Winnie-the-Pooh movie out not too long ago? sequels are so-so (unless it's Rocky II or any of the Toy Story movies), but not when they change the actors or voices and try to drag out the story line. prequels are a little desperate (sorry! i may get a lot of slack from my family for that comment). regardless, that's what's out these days. apparently, new Spiderman and Superman movies are on their way, so get ready for these strangely familiar story lines with more drama, intense action, and greater suspense.

2. BOBS. while in a shoe store the other day, i was welcomed by a large display of a new shoe, "BOBS" by Skechers. these canvas, close-fitting, comfortably-soled shoes grabbed my eye. hadn't i seen something like this before? with a similar, 4-letter, man-named brand? aha! Toms. yes, that's it! but Toms donates a pair of shoes for every pair purchased. oh wait, BOBS will not be outdone-- they donate two. really? i absolutely could not believe that another company could make something so close and not feel a pang of guilt as they go to sleep at night. they're cute. and less expensive. but, really?

3. have fun, live life, eat healthy. i saw a food store in the airport with this motto. it's catchy. i mean, who doesn't want happiness and a full life by eating good-for-you food, right? if only it were that easy. the first thing that came to my mind was "eat, drink, and be merry". that's probably a good summary of our world today. i have nothing against this company (that, fortunately, i can't remember the name of); i just think it's interesting how marketing agencies bombard us with empty promises of happiness. especially through something as silly as food.

4. wrist fashion. browsing through a kids store (in said airport, wasting time during my layover), i saw a display of "slaplets", fabric-covered bracelets that you slap onto your wrist and wear. brilliant, right? yet strangely familiar...SLAP BRACELETS!!! hello, middle school (or was it elementary?) i realize that i am almost thirty years old and that fashion styles do repeat (another strangely familiar phenomenon)! i wasn't sure if i should be shocked by the repeat or the fact that maybe just enough time has passed to bring back this fleeting fad. sigh.

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all these strangely familiar examples made me thing of the verse, "what has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun". (Ecclesiastes 1:9) Solomon, you couldn't be more correct. only God creates, everything that we see and do is a mere replication or enhancement of what has been. fashion, false religions, entertainment, self-improvement techniques, etc. even the age-old questions of "why am i here?" and "who made me?" are questions man has searched out since the beginning of time. there is nothing new under the sun. thankfully, our God spoke the sun into existence.

Solomon goes on to say in a later chapter, "He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men". (Ecclesiastes 3:11). we have a longing for something real, something we can hold onto, something that will satisfy. we long for eternity with our Father and, sadly, we settle trying to find fulfillment here on earth. C.S. Lewis said, "Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in; aim at earth and you will get neither".

i hope this post doesn't come across the wrong way. i am not anti-movies (just have a hard time staying awake during them...ah, pregnancy!), not against repeated fashion (i actually like a lot of vintage styles), don't think that eating healthy is bogus (have you met me?), or never question life. i just needed a reminder that God is in control, that He made me and has a beautiful plan for each and every person, He wants good for my life, but first and foremost, He wants the glory. all these strangely familiar pleasures on earth will bring emptiness; only Christ is the real deal and will bring lasting joy and fulfillment.