It seems Hollywood is never content to leave anything alone. Take a successful movie, then make a sequel, and watch it go down in flames at the box office. The exception is Godfather II, and of course Rocky-if you like Rocky. Personally I don't, so I wouldn't include it on my list. But a film, French and filmed in South America, has been remade called Sorcerer, made in 1977 it is a cult classic. But the original film, made in 1953, is far superior. Called the Wages of Fear, it takes place in a small, poor village, in a jungle surrounded by desert in South America. Where a US oil company has a compound, and is known for exploiting locals. When an oil rig fire breaks out across the jungle, and the only way to extinguish it is by using nitro, the union workers will not drive the dangerous route through the jungle. So four men, with the promise of $2000 each if they make it, a fortune in this village, take off in two trucks. And for the next hour the suspense is incredible.
The four men are sent out in pairs, and generally do not get along. Each has a specific and not entirely altruistic need for the money, and they even compete with each other. The nitro they carry is in jerry cans, and cannot sweat or will explode. That and it is very unstable, even the vials hitting can cause an explosion, as it does with one truck, killing both men. But the other truck soldiers on. Through mountains, jungle, having to explode a boulder in the way, and finally as they get close-encounter a bridge over a swamp. The bridge is old, and they know it won't hold the truck, but they have no alternative route-over the bridge it must be. Using their winch, one man wades across the swamp, and attaches it to a tree, and they try to pull it across, since the bridge is slick, and they cannot get traction. Finally the truck slips off the bridge, and into the quagmire. This quagmire is oil that has begun to fill the old riverbed from the oil leak and fire, making it all black and slippery. One man must get out of the truck to guide it over, wading chest deep in the oily mess, and slips-the truck running over him and mortally wounding him. The sight and sounds give you chills, as the driver had no other choice. Only one four makes it, and I won't reveal the ending. Being French it is a bit existential, but watching it for the truck scenes are worthwhile alone.
Does their trip sound familiar? Ever have a day, or days like that, where things are so bad that death is welcome? If it wasn't for bad luck you would have no luck at all? When you get so close to your destination, yet it seems farther away? And alone, where everyone seems to be your enemy, or at least your competitor? Discouraged, and then when you do send out invitations for your pity party, no one accepts, or even shows up to mock you? Well, you're not alone. Seems there was this man named Elijah, who after seeing God do great things, ended up in a cave. His prayers were good, no rain for three and a half years, and it didn't. So how and what was he doing alone in a cave? The wages of fear set in. Not getting your own way, you turn from God. Subtly known as pride, he cried to God that he was the only one doing anything for God, so he deserved special consideration. I mean, look at his prayer record. But God put him in a cave, a special consideration, for there with no outside influences, he could hear from God. And it seems that in we hear Him best in bad situations. Or when alone in our cave. And even when God reminded him that there are over 7000 men who have never turned to Baal, he doesn't cheer up.
In life's situations today, I hear from Christians saying a lot "well, it's all going to burn anyway." Referring to Revelation, where God burns up everything and we get a new heaven and earth. To me, a cop out, making an excuse for them not trusting God in the situation. And my question is, why do you only hear that stated when you've lost, or are losing? Why don't you quote that when you start your career, buy your first house, or get married. Try telling your new wife, "let's just live in a tent, it's all going to burn anyway," and see how long she stays with you. Tell your boss, "sorry I won't be in today, it's all going to burn anyway." And make sure he has your address right to mail you your last check. But yet we tell that to God, using excuses when He doesn't carefully follow our instructions laid out by us in our prayers. If only God really understood...
Broke, homeless, hungry, jobless, in sin, or whatever trials you are in now, God loves you. It doesn't depend on your situation. And He has many blessings for you, if you trust Him. He has a way out, and you must follow Him or you will fail. So how do we get back to God?
Like the two men stuck in the quagmire, a man must be sacrificed for the mission to be accomplished. Oops, almost revealed the ending. And God sacrificed His only son, so we can make it back to Him, and out of our quagmire of sin. Jesus went to the cross selflessly, so we can live. A plan I never would have dreamed of, but exactly the one we need. So simple only religion can screw it up.
So-come out of your cave, and listen to God. Jesus is the way through deserts, jungles, and quagmires. Yes, it is all going to burn, but you won't be here if you choose Him. And out of the ashes comes a new earth, and heaven...no excuses-Jesus is the way!
Payday is coming soon-what will your wages be? Hint-the wages of sin is death. Don't wait for the sequel!
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com
