Last Sunday Netflix sent out a tweet. Now, let me just stop here for a minute. I have to recognize, first, that we don’t have Netflix (too expensive), and second, I don’t use Twitter (seemed too time consuming when I tried it). But still, last Sunday Netflix sent out a tweet. It asked the people that follow Netflix (why would they do that?) “what character would you swap lives with?”
Now, because I don’t watch Netflix and don’t follow Twitter, I live in a pop culture bubble. Or I guess I live outside the bubble. I don’t know a lot of character names, and so many of the responses people gave didn’t mean anything to me. But some people mentioned characters outside the Netflix world like Iron Man and Harry Potter. For some odd reason many people said “Joey” from the old sitcom “Friends.”
In my bubble, I am more prone to think about Biblical characters. Maybe those would not qualify because they were historical people. But there are many fictional characters, particularly from Jesus’ stories, in the Bible – think the woman who lost a coin, or the prodigal son, or the two sons who responded differently to their dad’s request.
Netflix’s question was interesting and I hope you’ll indulge in the question. It seems to me you would think of a character you identify with because they lead the ideal life you’d like to have (I doubt anybody really can identify with Iron Man). Conversely, you could think of a character that you identify with because their life mimics yours so closely. The “Joey” choice comes better into focus with this understanding.
Have you thought of anybody yet? This will show my age, but I always identified with Alex P. Keaton from Family Ties – not because I looked anything like Michael J. Fox (or have his money or talent), but because his character thought just a little more of himself than his capabilities warranted, had a loving family that compensated for his weaknesses, and, well, I like the combo of jeans and a tweed blazer.
Biblically, I identify with the older brother in the Prodigal Son story. (Like him, I have one younger brother.) He diligently did what was expected of him and I have always felt that need, too. I can also get resentful when the wayward one gets celebrated.
When you talk about ideal characters, well, that’s another matter. I can’t possibly begin to identify with Jesus. Do I want to be like Him? Of course, I try to model my life after His teachings. But HE is God. And I ain’t. So, what about the disciples? I am eternally indebted to them. But be them? I don’t know… Would I trade places with the Apostle Paul? No, not really.
When you think about the question like “trading places” with somebody, suddenly I become grateful for who I am, who I am with, and the place that I am sharing this with. I’m not sure I need to, or want to, trade places with anybody. And enough people, plenty in fact, tell me that they would hate doing what I do for a living. That keeps me humble. But the exercise does make me grateful.
So, did you come up with somebody?
Back at work,
Craig
But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.
1 Samuel 12:24