Shawshank Redemption

[Andy (Tim Robbins) is talking about his dreams after being in prison for about two decades to his friend Red (Morgan Freeman)]

This movie clip provides us with a very good analogy, one of prison.  Often times we feel as if we are locked inside a prison of ideas.  Like materialism (only the physical word exists) or nihilism (there is no point to life), or even relativism (you have your truth i have mine).  There is more than the prison that these people who construct.  Just because we exist in a world of these philosophies does not mean that there is more than that.  Imagine trying to convince a man in prison that there is no outside world.  It is preposterous right?  Yet that is exactly what Red confesses too, I am an institutional man now.  He cannot function in the world as a standard citizen, he needs the confines of the world he has become so accustomed to.  

Andy believes in his friend far more than that, he believes that there is value, and joy to be had outside the prison.  Red at the end of the clip even tries to convince Andy that there is no reason to think of anything beyond the prison.  The amazing thing is that Andy is well aware that there is more to life than prison, and once more he knows how to accomplish that goal.  This conversation about dreams and the point beyond the current circumstances happens in the context of a relationship.  

This could be imagined as if Christ is Andy and that Red is us.  Christ comes to speak to us, reminds us that there is more to life than what we see in front of our eyes.  Andy did not deny that the prison was in front of them, but that he wanted to continue their friendship.  Andy wanted to bring Red along and share in his hope.  This is what Christ wants for us.  He knows that Red may not be the "man who gets things" out in the non-prison world, but he is still Andy's friend.  God wants us to be with Him in His plans, in His hobbies, business, dreams.  He is good friends with us, and wants to share the life He has created with us.  

As Andy said "get busy living or get busy dying."  Christ wants us to make a decision and not just sit on the fence.  "I wish you were either cold or hot.  So, because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth." Rev. 3:16.  If today you hear His voice harden not your hearts.  Come along with Christ, experience His dreams, and His hope and plan for your life.