Survivor

As I am typing and thinking, I have the beginning intro of the CBS Survivor reality show playing over and over in my mind…

…20 Castaways
…39 Days
…Who will become the next ultimate “sole” survivor?

For those who know me, you know I am not an avid television watcher. And up until this most recent Survivor season of “Heroes vs. Villains” I had not watched a complete season of Survivor since 2001 when it was in its second season in the Australian Outback.

I have joked continuously of my reason for watching this season as being the return of Colby Donaldson, a native Texan who was runner-up in Australia. My favorite “Survivor” had returned and yes, this was the initial reason why I became determined to watch it this time around…

However as the show progressed, I noticed that my “dear Colby” was playing the game a bit differently. It seemed as though he had lost a tremendous amount of passion that he carried with him 9 years ago. And while he was still an enjoyable addition to this season, my attention poured over into the other players of the game and I observed more of others’ behavioral patterns. Most of them I loved to hate, and some of them won my admiration. And there were a few in particular that disgusted me with their attitudes, their words, and their strategy. A strategy that would either make them a millionaire, or cause them to walk away with nothing more than they had when they started the game…

As Nick and I sat down late Sunday evening to catch what was left of the season finale, several thoughts were running through my mind. Colby had been voted out. He had become the “last of the dying breed” so to speak of the Heroes tribe. And the final three that were competing for the million dollar Survivor crown had very different qualities. Russell, who was a villain by all definitions of the word. There was nothing decent about him. He was foul-mouthed, extremely egotistical, deceitful, and down right dirty. He used and abused throughout the entire season and made no effort to show any form of dignity, honesty or integrity whatsoever. Parvati, who was stunningly beautiful but blatantly conniving. Watching her play the game was like watching a Diva acting on the big screen. And then there was Sandra, the “wanna be good girl but not quite sure how…” villain. From day one you could tell that she had a heart and was genuinely honest, but unfortunately was placed on an island with a group of people that were (for the most part) heart-less.

As the jury of 17 stood one by one to question and accuse there were a few moments of goodness in this can-get-extremely-wicked reality show...

One jury member mentioned how "loyalty" is overlooked in the game of Survivor and is something people view as a weakness when it is actually a huge strength. Another one commended Sandra for repeatedly opening a door for them and apologized for continuously slamming it back in her face.

With all of that being said, I was thrilled to see Sandra walk away with the million dollars. It was a moment of good overcoming evil and justice being played out.

So. My thoughts have been focused on the similarities between the “reality show” Survivor and the reality of being a survivor in the way we live our lives on earth.

Our goal in life shouldn’t be to “outwit. outlast. outplay.” Our goal should be to live our lives well. To live in a way that builds others up, not tears them down. To live our lives with integrity. To live our lives with honor and truth. And to live our lives glorifying the One who gives us life.

I fail. I think we all fail at some points in time. From simple misunderstandings, to being pressured into things by others, or the ways of this world. Sometimes life gets difficult, the journey gets frustrating, and the results of the pressure, stress, and impatience lead to sin. More often than not the sin is unintentional and can eventually consume and ultimately hinder us from becoming the people we were created to be…

So what do we do? What can we do to survive a world that so often is against us and usually the will that God has for us?

In “Survivor-land,” the answer is typically to fight evil with evil. To become more deceitful than the one playing the game next to you. To lie, to steal, and to cheat others. To thrive on their failures, take advantage of their weaknesses, and look out for yourself and yourself only.

God says love. Forgive.

The world says walk away. Resent.

How sad. Sad that I became so enthralled by a television show that portrays such behavior. Sad that a big part of the world chooses to follow such destructive ways…

Our goal as Christians is NOT to become the “sole” survivor, but to help save souls for our eternal destination. So when life is difficult to understand, pray. When someone hurts you, forgive. When you hurt others, seek forgiveness. When someone appears to be unlovable, LOVE.

Don't lose the passion that God has placed within you. And embrace loyalty as a strength.

Our journey in life is not to judge others for how they act or what they do, but to love them for who God created them to be. It is not to condemn. We are not to harbor bitterness, but to let bitterness go and let God work in our lives and the lives of others to heal.

At the end of our time on earth, we will be judged by how we lived and what we did with the life we were given. And rather than Jeff Probst tallying the votes to see if we’ve won the title of the “ultimate sole Survivor” we will stand face to face with our Creator. And our desire is to hear Him say these words…

“Well done, good and faithful servant!” –Matthew 25:21