...the dark knight...

I got to watch the movie again with my dad on the DVD yesterday. It is just so good! Can understand why some people wouldn't mind watching it again. The Joker was played out superbly! But in the midst of all the solid action, graphics and acting, it's the idea that is being played out in the movie that got me thinking a little.

I will always remember the particular scene where the Joker decided to do a "social experiment". 1 ferry was loaded with prisoners and the other was filled with civilians, and both had oil barrels that is link to a detonator each. His plot was simple. Left a detonator in the individual ferries and gave the people a choice to press it, explaining that the detonator they hold is linked to the bomb on the other ferry. And the people had to make a choice whether to detonate it because when it hits 12 midnight, both ferries will explode, if no one detonates the bomb. Immediately the civilians wanted to hit the button, since the other ferry are filled with prisoners who deserved to be punished anyway. This "experiment" really shows much we VALUE and VIEW life. Would I have also rationalized the same way the civilians did? I might. But I know I would behave exactly like them, not wanting to be the one to "dirty my hands" and press the button. Doesn't it really show how evil we can be? Where we are afraid of losing out but not willing to put ourselves at the chopping board and be blamed when things go wrong? I hand it to the script writer to think of something like this that brings out the sinful human nature within us.

The second thing I caught while watching it again yesterday was what the Joker said:

Don't talk like one of them. You're not! Even if you'd like to be. To them, you're just a freak, like me! They need you right now, but when they don't, they'll cast you out, like a leper! You see, their morals, their code, it's a bad joke. Dropped at the first sign of trouble. They're only as good as the world allows them to be. I'll show you. When the chips are down, these... these civilized people, they'll eat each other. See, I'm not a monster. I'm just ahead of the curve.

This is probably an apt description for many of us, me included. When we need help, out tone and the way we treat someone is with much respect and humility. When the tables are turn, we don't even give a hoot to that someone. For one, we are consistent. Consistent in that when it is of advantage to us, we know how to be nice. When it's of no advantage to us, we simply don't bother. At least that's how ministry with some students are. When they need you (e.g. Tuition, fun etc.), they'll be chasing you. But when they find something better, you'll be chasing them. Guess that also tells me that I need to work on my niche areas and be good in them so that there's good enough reasons for a student to want to meet me.

The second part of what the Joker said also challenged me to consider how firm am I holding on to God's principles in my life? Will I drop it at the first sign of trouble? (Or maybe after the second or third?) Or will those principles I acquired over Bible studies and sermons be truths I will hold on to as long as I live, able to stand the test of time? I was tested recently when I had a tim sum lunch with my mother and uncle. Once again, the topic of the day is "So what are you going to do with your life?" & "You must think about what you will be when you are 40 years old. You cannot be hanging around and doing nothing." At least that's what my uncle thinks. I must admit I was shaken to consider going to get a degree just to pacify them, since I did mention that after my 3 years in SYFC I would consider going to study. But to do that as a reaction to their questioning would be wrong. Must continue to stay focused, firm and prayful for the Lord's leading in my life. :)