Jesus, Storms, and The Truman Show

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As Jesus got into a boat, his disciples followed him. Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by waves; but he was asleep. They came and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us!  We are perishing!” He said to them, “Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?”

As I read this passage this morning, an image from a scene in one of my favorite movies flashed before my eyes. The movie is The Truman Show (1998) staring Jim Carrey. The scene was when Truman (Carrey) is being tossed about on his little boat by a violent storm.

If you are not familiar with the movie, I highly suggest you take the time to watch it. With that being said, SPOILER ALERT! The premise of the show is that Truman was born into a fake world. In fact, his life is merely a television show for the rest of the world. From his birth onward he has been the “star” of this show. Everything in Truman’s life revolves around him and all the people in his life are merely actors. I believe the inspiration for the story is drawn from this poem:

All the world’s a stage,

And all the men and women merely players;

They have their exits and their entrances;

And one man in his time plays many parts, – William Shakespeare

Eventually, Truman beings to doubt the trueness of his world. He senses that something isn’t quite right and begins a quest to discover the truth. His quest for the truth drives him to overcome his fears and set out on the sea in search of the meaning of his life. Toward the end of the movie we find Truman in the midst of the sea in a raging storm (created by the producer of the show in an attempt to turn Truman back to the shore so that the show may continue.)

Christof is the producer of the show who appears benevolent but is in reality a satan-like figure. At this point, when Truman is being tossed about by the sea but refuses to give up, Christof finally reveals himself. He speaks to Truman through one of the many cameras and microphones that invade Truman’s life on the “set”.

Christof: (to Truman) Truman!

Truman: (gasps in wonder)

Christof: You can speak. I can hear you.

Truman: Who are you?

Christof: I am the creator..of a television show that gives hope and joy and inspiration to millions.

Truman: Who am I?

Christof: You’re the star.

Truman: Was nothing real?

Christof: YOU were real. That’s what made you so good to watch. Listen to me, Truman. There’s no more truth out there than there is in the world I created for you. Same lies. Same deceit. But in my world, you have nothing to fear. I know you better than you know yourself.

Truman: You never had a camera in my head!

Christof: You’re afraid. That’s why you can’t leave. It’s okay, Truman. I understand. I have been watchin you your whole life. I was watching you when you were born. I was watching you when you took your first step. I watched you on your first day of school. The episode when you lost your first tooth. You can’t leave, Truman. You belong here…with me. Talk to me. Say something. Say something, goddammit! You’re on television. You’re live to the whole world!

In a very real sense, you and I are Truman. We sense that something isn’t quite right. Our lives are curated; filled with wonder and awe which is mostly created by man. We are advertised to and used as advertisements for others. When we honestly seek the truth, storms arise to throw us off track. In the midst of these storms the devil whispers and instills doubt, “you’re afraid, there is no truth, you’re better off just going with the flow, I can take care of you, come down from your cross.”

Yet if we honestly seek the truth about our lives, like Truman, we will eventually find true freedom. Freedom from the falsehoods of this world. Freedom from the “products” that appear – “good for food and pleasing to the eyes, and … desirable for gaining wisdom.” (Gen 3:6) Freedom to love as God loves in a self-sacrificing way no longer traipsing the set imagining that we are the star of this “show”.

How then do we find this Truth? Like Truman, we lash ourselves to the boat (an age-old image of the Church) which in the movie is interestingly named, The Santa Maria (Holy Mary). We cry out to the Lord like the apostles, “Lord, save us!” We cry out against Christof (the devil) as Truman did in his storm, “..is that the best you can do? Your gonna half to KILL me…” Most importantly, we must never let anything deter us from seeking the Truth, not the idea of Truth but Truth itself – incarnate – Jesus Christ. The One who does not fabricate storms and tribulations but uses them to increase our Faith. For He is the One who “even the winds and the sea obey.”

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