Glimpses behind the curtain – April 6
There is a movie we saw this year – sans kids – called “Nightmare Alley”. Director Guillermo del Toro reimagines this story that was first released in 1947 and assembles a riveting cast to live into a tale of ups and downs, set within carnival culture. Protagonist Stan (Bradley Cooper) wants to learn the craft of carnies and card tricks. He studies each act in the carnival, working his way into the community. Stan watches Pete (David Strathairn) demystify some of the mind reading act he and his wife Zeena the Seer (Toni Collette) have built. Zeena has wowed many audiences with her craft, with Pete beneath the stage giving her cues. Stan wants a piece of this psychic mystery. Aging and alcoholic Pete wrestles with his own demons, and as such, he advises Stan with words of warning:
“When a man believes his own lies, starts believing that he has the power, he’s got shut eye. Because now he believes it’s all true. And people get hurt. Good, God-fearing people. And then you lie. You lie. And when the lies end, there it is. The face of God, staring at you straight. No matter where you turn. No man can outrun God, Stan.”
The disclaimer is relevant to the arc of Stan’s journey in the story of “Nightmare Alley” and speaks truth to us who live in the carnival of 2022 – and resonates with the reading from Exodus 7:8-24 appointed for this morning.
Moses and Aaron see how that no one can outrun God. Exodus 7 grants us a behind-the-scenes glimpse of time with YHWH when the Pharaoh’s heart is hardened, unwilling to release the Israelites from bondage in Egypt. The Lord tells the brothers that Pharaoh will command them to perform a wonder. The Lord tells Moses what to say to Aaron: “Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh, and it will become a snake.” They followed God’s direction and it happened just as YHWH said. Pharaoh was unable to catch the brothers unaware with the carnie trick demands. Other carnies and sorcerers came to Pharaoh to do similar stunts, but Aaron’s staff-turned-snake ate each trick snake. And the Pharaoh’s heart remained unchanged and his eyes remained shut to God’s will and word.
YHWH pulled Aaron and Moses aside again and told them to collaborate to turn all the water sources to blood. They believed in God’s power and did just as the Lord commanded, in the sight of Pharaoh. The river turned red, fish died, and the waters smelled horrible. The magicians did the same by their secret arts, so Pharaoh did not believe. He kept his eyes shut to YHWH and went into his house, keeping his back turned on God and God’s people held captive.
While the company we keep with God may look a bit different than that of Moses and Aaron in the ancient Near East, our Lord still calls us to listen, to follow, to obey, and to love. I pray that our hearts may be softened to this beckoning and wisdom. May God open our eyes to see truth today.
-- Katherine+
Questions for Reflection
What blind spots are you aware that you have? Which of those are problematic this week?
Daily Challenge
Journal today and reflect on having your eyes open to those spaces of "shut eye". Pray and listen for ways that bring you in deeper connection to God, yourself, and those around you.