WAIT FOR THE CREDITS
Do you get up and get out, or are you a creditor? By creditor, I don't mean those nasty people who show up at your door after Christmas. No, for the context of this "collection" of words, a creditor is one who stays in the movie theatre until the credits slide by. Do you leave or do you go? Some people like to jump up and run for the doors as soon as "THE END" looms on the screen. Others milk their movie-going experience and they wait, and read.
Perhaps waiting and reading is a Canadian trait. After all, there are a considerable number of movies now made in "Hollywood North" and as proud Canucks, we like to know where the movies are filmed. I realize this desire is a rather pathetic stab at National pride, but we Canadians do our flag waving in a variety of ways!
I personally like to wait and watch 'til the end to pick out some of the people whom it takes to make a movie. Then, I try and figure out what their job might entail.
Last night I was at the movies in Saint John and to my "credit" I stayed to the very end. If you ever want to find out why movie-making is such an expensive proposition, just look at the number of people on the payroll and you'll soon understand. In the cacophony of credits that roll by, there are hundreds, if not over a thousand names. Oh, sure, there are the main actors, producers and directors, but there are also stand-ins, stunt coordinators, key grips, personal secretaries, payroll supervisors, caterers, and in the case of the movie last night, even a masseuse or two was listed in the credits! A goodly number of these titles don't mean a lot to me. After all, what is a "key grip" anyway? It doesn't matter, really. All I know is that each person played a part in making the movie. Each person was needed. Only a few were visible, like the actors themselves, but everyone else in that lengthy line of fine fonting had a roll to play as well.
Personally, I like to stay until the credits are over out of respect. I put myself in the place of the secretary, accountant, assistant, or location scouts. It must be a bit frustrating to know your contribution to the cause was just as important as anyone else, but then realize that by the time your name rolls by, most people are half way to their cars, or busy picking popcorn out of their teeth in the theatre lobby.
On the other hand, you have to give movie makers credit for their credits. After all, is it really necessary that we know who was a personal masseuse to one of the actors? Still, the fact that the person's name is listed along with everyone else's name is an acknowledgment of their contribution. It's refreshing that someone cares enough to make sure that everyone gets their name up on the screen. Oh, no one but their mom, or dad, or some nut in a movie theatre in Saint John might actually read it, but still, there's a satisfaction in knowing that your name is, at least, there. It may be that unions and contracts are behind such a thorough list, I don't know. Still, it's nice to know that everyone gets a tip of the hat and a slap on the back for their work. Sometime during the Christmas Season you'll likely find yourself in a theatre somewhere. Just once, why don't you stay to the end and read as many of those names as you can. Who knows, you might even recognize someone!
As I jump into the spiritual application of my movie menu memorializing, I bet you think I'm going to talk about the Church as the Body. I bet you think I'm going to allude to Paul describing the Church as many members, some big, some small, all having their necessary value and ministry. I bet you think I'm going to say that it doesn't matter whether we work up on the screen, or behind the scene cause God keeps his credits perfectly complete. It may be that others in the Church might not notice your labors on behalf of the Lord, but He always sees and that's enough. Well, you should be ashamed of yourself for thinking me so predictable in my conclusions!
Actually, all I really wanted to say is this: In the movie of your life, whom have you forgotten to credit? Who's name should be up there with the rest of those you have already acknowledged? Maybe there are a few that showed up on the screen in one of the early episodes of your life's saga, but you haven't listed them much lately? To my way of thinking, the most powerful thing you can do in this world is be an encourager. Who's been an encourager in your life? Who now needs your encouragement? When you read through the New Testament as part of your New Year's resolutions, take note of how many times we're called to be "thankful", "grateful" people. Such acknowledgments to our Lord, and each other, really is key to the growth and health of our faith! OK, now let them credits roll.
