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Enjoy Life, Enjoy God


Dale Patterson

WOODY ALLEN

March 27, 2009

I like his movies, overall, he's thoughtful. Actually, Woody has some in common with Ecclesiastes.

A man may have a hundred children and live many years; yet no matter how long he lives if he cannot enjoy his prosperity and does not receive proper burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he.
- Ecclesiastes 6:3 TNIV

Mr. Allen's movies often feature meaninglessness, pathetic characters stumbling along trying to find purpose, enjoyment, redemption, but it's not to be found-it's a chasing after the wind. I'm reading a book that brings this to our attention. Woody Allen writes of the meaninglessness of life. Ecclesiastes writes of the meaninglessness of life. They have this in common, except Woody doesn't get to meaning, Ecclesiastes does.

Meaning and purpose happen. Worth happens. Brokenness is healed and redeemed. But not in striving after it, but as a gift of God. Ecclesiastes knows what, I guess, Woody Allen has yet to discover.
Joyfully,

Dale Patterson