I shared on Monday that we are continually influenced by what we read, by what we watch, and with whom we keep company. Characters in books, on the screen and in person all have the potential for contributing to the shaping our view of self, the world, and those around us – for good or evil. Hugo “Hurley” Reyes is another such character that has captivated my attention in regards to navigating relationships with others.
Lost was a complicated & mysterious show with an elaborate cast of interwoven plane crash survivors that wholly captivated my attention (the last few episodes notwithstanding). A cast favorite was Hurley, a young lottery winner who spent some time living in a mental institution before he took up residence on the island. Hurley wasn’t the cleverest on the island. He wasn’t eye candy for the ladies. He wasn’t the protector. He wasn’t a provider. What Hurley was, was everyone’s friend. Hurley had a way of seeing past the facade that every other person on the island worked hard at maintaining and accepting each person as-is. He fleshed out the idea that who each person was prior to the crash didn’t determine who they were on the island. Hurley didn’t focus on the past. He accepted people as they were in the present, flaws and all.
“Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” Romans 15:7
PONDER: If your life was viewed on the screen, would your acceptance of others bring praise to God, as Paul writes? If you struggle with accepting people as they are in the present (as-is, flaws and all), spend some time today reflecting again on Romans 5:8.