Making "Contact"

In the movie "Contact," a search committee decides that the person representing Earth to other life in our universe should believe in God. The courageous heroine of the film, portrayed with all of Jodie Foster's usual intensity, cannot meet that requirement. She is a scientist, after all, and must rely on data, evidence, and empirical proof. By the end of the film, however, her space travels introduce her to a powerful force which she cannot explain, cannot prove, but which she knows beyond all doubt to be "Truth."

In a passionate address she encourages others to take comfort in knowing that we are not alone, that there is something larger than ourselves in our lives, and that there is more to the universe than meets the eye. Her words parallel those of the theologian/love interest of the story but do not merge with them, for she cannot yet acknowledge God as the "Powerful Force" behind the creation of the universe. She is so close, so very close, yet so far away.

We are often reluctant to acknowledge that there is a God, for our image of God is that of a bearded, judgmental ruler who wants to take away all of our fun. I imagine that the scientist in the film thought that a belief in such a God would indicate psychological immaturity.

When Jesus came to Earth, He was able to correct our inappropriate assumptions and supply us with all of the "data" that we would need to become believers. He talked about a God who was like a loving Father. He taught us that God was anything but harsh and judgmental with the story of the Father who lovingly welcomes home a wayward son after the boy spends all of his inheritance foolishly. He showed us a God who would generously offer His most precious possession, His Only Son, so that we could share eternity in heaven with Him.

All who seek the Lord will find Him. We may think we need more data, more evidence, more time to consider, but what we really need is "contact" with God.

If you're interested, there is more information about:
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The most important Book of all time.

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Contributed by Andrea Chapman, email: mailto:ASC429@aol.com