S1E2 "Everything has its time, and everything dies."

     When I first began watching Doctor Who several years ago, this second episode was the clincher. I was honestly not impressed with the first corny episode, and I nearly gave it up altogether: what a travesty that would have been! However, I continued, and I was struck by the depth and wonder of the show. I guess, like Rose, the TARDIS got inside my head! The mystery of time, the enormity of eternity, the magnitude of the universe,  and the preciousness of Earth were all themes and realities that challenged my shallow, self-absorbed, and very safe ideas. My view of God (the most important thing about me, according to A. W. Tozer) was small because I had no appreciation for the wonderful, expansive Creation that I lived in and was part of! And when one sees what a tiny piece this planet is of the universe one can't help but marvel at the role its Creator chose to play upon it. And when one sees what a tiny bit of time one has upon said planet, the desire to make every moment count for eternity becomes consuming!

"The End of the World"

     This episode, "The End of the World," in particular develops the theme of everything having it's time that I found startling. I remember reveling at Rose's phone-call to her mother. I don't know why that brief conversation resonated so with me, but I think I realized at the same moment as Rose that life is short:"that was 5 billion years ago: she's dead now." 

"All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass." 1 Peter 1:24

"5 billion years later, my mum's dead."

"O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am! Behold You have made my days a few hand breaths and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Surely a man goes about as a shadow!"Psalm 39:4-6

"Hello, Mum."

     The idea of everything having an end continues in the Doctor's conversations and ethics. He says he's not there to save the Earth because "its time is up." He alludes to his planet, Gallifrey, as having been destroyed "before its time." He refuses to moisturize Cassandra because "everything has its time; everything dies." He sounds a great deal like King Solomon with his human wisdom in Ecclesiastes: 

 "Vanity, vanity [...] what does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun? A generation goes and a generation comes. [...] For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die."

The author of Hebrews says much the same but with a startling reality: "It is appointed for man to die once and after that the judgment."

      In summary, life is short! In less than 5 billion years you'll be dead - that's a guarantee! 

Then what? Are you prepared for the judgment? 

And for the time that remains...: "Who knows whether you have not come [...] for such a time as this?"  Esther 4:14

S1E1 "Eat chips, go about, and watch telly"

     What person doesn't dream of adventure in a blue box? Doesn't imagine the wonder of flying through time and space with the last of the Time Lords? Doesn't long to hear those four most brilliant words, "Hello, I'm the Doctor" (followed closely by "RUN!")? If you can't relate, there's something wrong with you! Or you've never watched the show which is an even greater crisis (read on at your own risk, but beware: SPOILERS!). Unfortunately, reality tells me I'll be waiting a long time for that iconic engine revving noise to come from my street! But, that doesn't mean that my life is "filled with work, food, and sleep." I've signed up for the greatest adventure offered to mankind. My Saviour didn't say, "RUN!" But He did say, "Follow me!" with no questions asked. When asked, "is it always this dangerous?"  He responded with, "In the world you will have tribulation, but behold, I have overcome the world!"

The 9th Doctor (Christopher Eccleston) & Rose (Billie Piper)

     Today as I re-watched the first episode of the new series, I was struck again by something the Doctor said that is resoundingly true:"You lot, all you do is eat chips, go about, and watch telly, while all the time underneath you there's a war going on!"  The apostle Paul says basically the same thing (minus the fried potatoes) in Ephesians 6:11-12. "Put on the whole armour of God [...] For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."  All the time, all around us, there's a war going on - of which we're typically oblivious! We eat chips (or "fries" if you prefer), go about (chase the American dream), and watch telly ("TV"), all the while there are life and soul-threatening battles - wrestling matches - waging. How can people say the Christian life is boring?! My mum always said that boring equaled selfish! How true. If life is boring you, it's because you're focused on yourself! You're not engaged in the cosmic battle of light and darkness, the ever intense war for souls. It's because you haven't donned the whole armour of God in preparation for a fight against the Devil who's roaring and roaming! It takes little to no imagination to equate (exceed actually) the thrilling tales of Doctor Who. We may not have 50+ years of air-time, but we have the eternal God who is I AM - the beginning and the end!  And the best part? He's already won the war!
     We all like to feel like we're a part of something bigger - like our life matters! Why do you think Rose jumped into an old phone box with a nutter?! Hello! Stranger Danger! It's because she couldn't bear to go back to a life of routine, a life of eating, sleeping, and work! She wanted a life of adventure and danger! A life of purpose. Don't we all - deep down? Well, that's what Jesus offers. So, will you join those who, by faith, lead a life of adventure: "conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection." And danger: "Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated - of whom the world was not worthy - wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in caves of the earth." (Hebrews 11:33-38)? Or will you go back to the shop, back to your dead-beat boyfriend, back to sipping tea and watching telly? Your call.
    "What do you think? You could stay here and fill your life with work and food and sleep, or you could go... Anywhere!"