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Twister
A movie demonstrates what
radical community can be like

James Menaker,
InterVarsity staff worker in Alaska

 
When our students gathered for a conference, we all watched the movie Twister. We noticed how the movie’s main characters had an intensity and zeal for their lives. Two of the scientists in the film summed it up when they said, “An ordinary man spends most of his time avoiding tense situations; we spend most of our time getting into tense situations!”

We talked about how the heroes in the movie had lives of adventure in which fear had been replaced by an overwhelming passion and desire. These were lives in which individuals sacrificed their careers to be a part of a community that had a chance to achieve the impossible, and they had an amazing time doing it with each other.

I asked the students, “Do you want a life like this?”

Immediately I saw the response. Everyone smiled. Their eyes twinkled as the thought flashed across almost every face: Oh, if I could have that life for only one day . . .

And then, just as quickly, I saw the counter-thought cross the same faces. It’s not possible. I can’t do it; I won’t get my hopes up. But if it were possible . . .

We spent the rest of the conference talking about how such a life is possible. Instead of chasing after tornadoes, we are chasing after God—the One with the power to move not only houses and mountains, but hearts as well. This is a passion worth dedicating ourselves to. We have the opportunity to pursue the most exciting life imaginable, and to do it with other people who share the same passion.