A few nights after New Year’s, I watched the movie version of the novel, The Shack by William Paul Young. I read it years ago while it was a bestseller and frankly wasn’t impressed, but then maybe I wasn’t ready for the concepts within, because clearly the movie version is an allegory about God’s grace.
The plot, many of you know, has to do with a man named Mack whose youngest daughter was abducted by a serial killer, and taken to a shack in the mountains where she was murdered. In the midst of Mack’s ensuing depression, he is drawn mysteriously back to the shack to confront the memories that haunt him. Engulfed in doubt, anger, and revenge, he meets God the father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit in human form.
In one scene God the Father confronts Mack, “You don’t believe I’m good, do you?”
In light of what happened to his little girl, Mack’s answer, “No.”
In another scene, Lady Wisdom asks Mack if he can discern good and evil.
His answer, “Yes.”
Lady Wisdom then invites him to be the judge of all the evil in the world, especially of this daughter’s murderer.
However, when she shows him how the web of evil touches us all, he needs to judge even his remaining children and send them to hell. With no other just solution, he asks Lady Wisdom to send him instead. This is the beginning of Mack’s understanding of the gospel. Jesus took death’s bullet meant for those he loved, you and me.
In the story, the shack represents the poisonous prison of our past with all its unforgiveness and shame.
The New Year’s holiday represents a chance to break free into a fresh future.
So, to all who resolved to become better in some way this coming year, remember, better is all well and good, but impossible on our own. Why else would we be trying AGAIN this year to improve ourselves?
But God offers us a new opportunity every day of the year, not just on January first, to believe Jesus died on our behalf because he loves us, just like Mack, in the middle of our mess. He simply asks us to trust that He is good, the only wise judge with the glorious power to transform any evil into unimaginable good.
Paul says to his friends in Philippi,
Philippians 2:13 (NIV)
“Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,
for it is God who works in you
to will and to act
in order to fulfill his good purpose.”
No summary can do justice to an entire story, so check out The Shack on Prime. Forewarning, the beginning is a little churchy, so hang in there until Mack goes back to the shack in the mountains alone. That’s when it gets good. And a Happy New Year brimming with the grace of God.
Thanks for the cover photo by Mick Haupt on Unsplash
Copyright 2023 Ann C. Averill
I first read the book, then years later saw the movie. Once again, you seem to be able to dive right in and find meaning in parts that I missed.
♥️