A few days ago, my mom and I took in our monthly “dinner and a movie.” This time we chose the very popular Julia Roberts movie “Eat Pray Love.” It was a long, 2+ hour film that ended up leaving us empty. For the first time ever, we actually considered leaving early.
The film is an adaptation of Elizabeth Gilbert’s memoir by the same name. A successful, well-educated American woman, Gilbert finds herself dissatisfied with her marriage. So, she pursues a divorce (which her husband doesn’t want) and then enters an affair with a younger man. When that proves inadequate, she leaves him to “find herself.” The movie follows Gilbert on a quest to find happiness: eating in Italy, praying in India, and looking for love in Indonesia. In each case, I found her to be the epitome of indulgence and narcissism—a rich American pursuing her own selfish desires. When she meets the third man who professes his love for her—a kind and caring man—she almost turns and runs from him. In the end, she chooses her happy ending.
Italy. India. Indonesia.
I. I. I.
How appropriate.
The movie is a microcosm of our culture. We have it all, and are still unhappy. We spend our energy and resources looking for some form of satisfaction and contentment and, instead, are left empty and wanting more.
I found it quite ironic when I received a memo from a business associate recently. It was on stationery from a catholic ministry, with a header that reads: "Pray. Love. Serve."
What a contrasting concept. Similar words, yet so different. Others-oriented, rather than me-focused. I wonder how our lives would change if we made this our daily mission.
"You were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge.... rather, serve one another in love." -- Gal 5:13
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