"The Bridges of Madison County"

The movie, "The Bridges of Madison County," opened this past weekend. It is a story of unfulfilled love. Housewife Francesca (played by Meryl Streep) meets traveling photographer Robert (Clint Eastwood). They are powerfully drawn to one another. Robert invites Francesca to leave her life on the farm and go with him. Francesca is already married. Her husband is a decent man, but there marriage is farm from fulfilling. Then there are the children to consider. Roger Ebert points out that the poignancy of the story is that "they...know they are right for one another" but do "not follow their knowledge." Ebert concludes; "[The movie] is about two people who find the promise of perfect personal happiness, and understand, with sadness and acceptance, that the most important things in life are not always about making yourself happy."

I was struck by that last line. It reminded me of the questioner who once asked C. S. Lewis, "Which of the religions of the world gives to its followers the greatest happiness?"

In short, his answer was that it certainly wasn't Christianity. He indicated that the religion most likely to produce happiness, at least for a while, was "the religion of worshipping oneself." He explained: "As you perhaps know, I haven't always been a Christian. I didn't go to religion to make me happy. I always knew a bottle of Port would do that."

Christianity, when faithfully presented, has always declared that the most important things in life are not always about making yourself happy. This should not surprise anyone (though it does). After all, the central symbol of Christianity is a cross. But there is something fulfilling about bearing that cross. Jesus said that you find life there.

C. David Hess