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A VOICE OF ONE
A Spiritual Commentary On Our Times
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In 1981 Hollywood released a film entitled "Escape from New York." This futuristic film depicts the city of New York as a federal prison for hardened criminals. Its visual image is that of carnage and despair and it is a place of no escape. Yet despite all this and in the face of incredible odds actor Kurt Russell forms a plan of escape. In the middle of the night he and another actor successfully make their way across a bridge to freedom.
While this movie is fictional the bridge in the film is firmly planted in reality as well as history. This particular scene was filmed on a bridge that spans the mighty Mississippi River connecting St. Louis, Missouri to Mitchell, Illinois that once carried traffic for Route 66. In its day the Chain of Rocks Bridge was an engineering marvel and captivated the imagination of many Americans, particularly those caught up in the post World War II era of travel and adventure. The Chain of Rocks Amusement Park on the Missouri side of the river offered a respite for weary travelers as well as a place of entertainment for local residents. Riverview Park upon which it was perched offered one of the most scenic spots in the area. Unfortunately today, not unlike the scene of many places America's historic highways went through the area is not as picturesque or as safe as it once was.
Years before the events of 911 Hollywood turned the city known around the world as an icon of American prosperity into a place of despair and in so doing sent a message loud and clear. "This is not the America that used to be." It has been said that the events of 911 forever changed America. There is no question that America is not the country it used to be, but the cause for it has nothing to do with terrorism. There can be no denying the great tragedy the events of 911 placed upon the lives of so many, but there is a tragedy even greater that has occurred; the tragedy of a nation that has turned its back on its "old paths;" its Christian heritage and the God who blessed it.
The film "Escape from New York" sets forth a scene that is eerily prophetic, but it also sends a message of hope. The answer to the problems of our world today lies not in our own abilities, but in the very thing the movie physically and symbolically depicts at the end; America's "old paths." The title of the movie to say nothing of the events of recent years only reiterate the words of the Old Testament Prophet Jeremiah as he too faced a nation in turmoil.
"Stand at the crossroads and look.
Ask for the old paths.
Ask where the good way is and walk in it,
and you will find rest for your soul."
~ Jeremiah 6:16
What an even greater tragedy it would be if America never came to the realization that it has something to escape from; itself.
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