Up

Recently, I watched the 2009 Pixar animated film Up. If you haven't seen it, you should. Up won many awards including the Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature Film. This is the story of an elderly gentleman named Carl Fredrickson along with a young Wilderness Explorer named Russel who tags along as Mr. Fredrickson sets of to his dream location, Paradise Falls. After the love of his life, his wife Ellie, passed away, he decided he was going to fulfill their lifelong dream of visiting Paradise Falls. They take off on their adventure in Mr. Fredrickson's house floating by balloons. After facing many challenges, thrills, struggles, and animals, Mr. Fredrickson and Russell learn about each other and create a deep friendship.

Mr. Fredrickson's desire throughout the film was clinging on to his relationship with his wife, Ellie. They were the best of friends and had the same dreams. They went through a lot together including Ellie's inability to get pregnant. After a long life together, Ellie passed away leaving Carl alone. He became the grumpy old man and continued to dwell on his relationship with Ellie. He was an individual and desired isolation, hence his desire to move his house to Paradise Falls. But after his adventures with Russell, he began to realize he needed to let go of his past with Ellie.

Up sheds light on aspects of the kingdom of God. In Kraybill's article "Down is Up", the kingdom is describe as collective, interdependent, social, counter-cultural and more. At the beginning of the film, Mr. Fredrickson is very individualistic and alone. He opted out of moving to the retirement community and turned down any chance at friendship. His desire was to stay alone. However, after a series of adventures, he discovered what meant more to him was friendship. He created a friendship with Russell. He shared his thoughts, fears, and hopes and Russell did the same. Russell became Mr. Fredrickson's community. At the end of the film, Mr. Fredrickson left his house at Paradise Falls and returned to the city with Russell. He became happy-hearted and social with others.

As well as being a very entertaining animated film, Up also gives insight to the community God desires in his kingdom. We are not meant to be alone. A huge aspect of the kingdom is community and being social. There will be friendship and it will be a relational, collective, interdependent place.

QUESTIONS:

1. Despite our possible desire for being alone, why does God want a community in His kingdom?

2. Why do we sometimes find it difficult to be social and to involve ourselves in a community?

3. Why is it so hard to let go of things (people, possessions, places, etc.)?