I was reading through a book about film direction and setting up shots, and I came to a passage I found to be philosophically profound:
“Filmmakers are frequently overconcerned about the action. The truth is, we learn as much from the reaction as we do from the action.”
The author is talking about how you don’t always have to have the camera focused on the person talking, but in many cases you can be looking at the person who’s listening to see how they respond.
I’m often much more interested in the reaction than the action. I believe it’s in the realm of reaction where much of what is true and noble and inspirational (or misinformed and foolish and dangerous) resides. Think it through further: how did Jesus teach and communicate much of the time? He asked questions. He probed. He challenged. He was looking for a reaction.
What if we as Christians started viewing evangelism not from the perspective of our actions but from the perspective of others’ reactions?
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Very interesting take on Action vs. Reaction. I believe what you are saying is that we spend too much time ‘doing’ things for GOD, and not enough time ‘being’ with HIM? If so, I agree. one. Do you believe as I do that GOD never ‘reacts’ to anything or anyone? Why should HE? He is all-knowing, all-seeing, all-powerful, and HE’s always right. And, HE is always passionately in action. Love is action, creation is action, mercy is action, forgiviness is action, grace is action. Action is never self-centered. Reaction is hatred. Reaction is greed. Reaction is gossiping. Reaction is fear. Reaction is doubt. Reaction is always self-centered. How many decisions have we made based upon ‘reacting’ to a situation? I believe we need to follow GOD’s model. Passion in action.
I totally agree with you about the importance of being with God instead of always doing stuff for God. But, in terms of the rest of your comments, I think you may have missed my point.
God is looking for a reaction in us, and he’s waiting to react. In terms of the former, think about the times when Jesus looked upon someone or looked upon the multitude, and “He had compassion for them”. That was a reaction…He saw the pain, the fear, the pride, the misery, the ignorance…and His reaction was a welling up of love and compassion and a sense of urgency to minister to them.
In terms of the later, God is waiting for us to react all the time. The most dramatic example that comes to mind is Paul’s experience on the road to Damascus. Jesus manifested Himself powerfully and supernaturally to Paul, and in that moment Paul’s reaction to this encounter would set the course of the rest of his life. Most of the time, our encounters with God are far more subtle. He’s dealt the hand, and now He’s waiting for us to make our move. The question is, do we have the eyes to see and the ears to hear what God is doing and saying to us in our lives today?
Of course, action is important, and knee-jerk, unthoughtful reactions to ideas or events that lead to stubborn rejection or hostility must be avoided. But I believe that much of the Christian life is having the wisdom and discernment to see how God is moving in the world and in the lives of the people we meet and know, and react appropriately in accordance with His will.