#394 – Midnight Showings

The Dark Knight Rises releases this week. Because of a busy schedule on Friday and Saturday, I’m not sure when I’ll be able to see it. This wouldn’t have been a problem in my younger days; I would have been ready to go for a midnight showing.

Not so much anymore.

I used to go to midnight showings all the time. I can’t count the number of movies I saw at midnight. I know I saw Episode I at midnight and dressed up for the midnight showing of Episode II. I went to a pirate party the night that Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest came out and went to the theater dressed in a full pirate costume for a midnight showing.

In the past few years, though, I haven’t been to a single midnight showing. I’m pretty sure the last movie I saw at midnight was Watchmen and that was over three years ago. After sitting through almost three hours of depressed super heroes and blue anatomy, I decided that midnight showings were no longer for me. Staying up that late on a Thursday pretty much ruins my Friday. Also, seeing a movie on Saturday morning does away with the need to stand in line for hours and hours on Thursday night.

I’m also getting old.

When I was younger staying out until 3:00 and waking up at 8:00 didn’t bother me at all. Now simply the thought of it makes me tired. I used to fear getting older, mostly because I didn’t want to stop playing video games and seeing movies at midnight. The older I’ve gotten, though, I’ve realized I’m not missing much and I’ve gained so much more.

I really appreciate Paul’s encouragement in 1 Corinthians 13 to do away with our childish ways. Growing up and getting older can be scary, but unless we go through the process we’ll never be complete. Paul tells us that as we grow and mature, we’ll better understand who we are and what God has called us to do. Clinging to our childish ways prevents us from seeing that future and keeps us stuck in our immature and undeveloped lives.

I’d gladly wait to watch the newest blockbuster if it means that I’m growing and changing.

Obviously we can go to midnight showings and still be maturing and growing Christians. For me, though, midnight showings stood for some childish and irresponsible behaviors that I needed to let go. Giving up on midnight showings meant I could delay my gratification until a more appropriate time.

If I don’t see The Dark Knight Rises before I leave for junior high camp this weekend, though, I might have to rethink midnight showings.

What childish things have you had to put off in order to grow and mature in Christ?