He reaches out slowly, as the green light dimly shatters the
atmosphere that covers the water. Gatsby desires something he cannot put his
hands on. He is desperate, wanting that intangible radiance to become physical,
something he can hold, something he can claim to be his own. This green light
resembles hope. It resembles everything Gatsby wishes he had. The light creates
a steady beat, a heartbeat, and Gatsby will do anything to place it in his
possession.
We are like the Gatsby. We live for things we cannot grasp,
and we spend our lives trying to grab it. As Gatsby tried to get Daisy back, it
ultimately created a frenzy and the illusion that Daisy was free for the taking
– that the past could be relived. Unfortunately, we sacrifice our true nature
and begin falling in the trap that the green light is why we are alive. We
obsess and obsess until the green light vanishes; all we have left is the mess
we've created from betraying our true love.
Gatsby, a mysterious young man who hid himself behind the
parties he threw, was always considered a highly-regarded gentleman who
received praise from the most well-respected officials of the United States and
internationally. Yet, his motive behind throwing such decorated parties was
plain and simple: to grab the attention of one thing that he could never obtain
– Daisy.
We, too often, distract ourselves with the world’s desires.
Like soap, we try to hold on, but these disguised “gifts” slip right through
our fingers. We become possessed and enraged, murdering our innocence and
pouting over what we cannot have. We throw tantrums and shackle ourselves to
the wall, all the while pretending we are the victim of our stupidity. We flip
the switch on ourselves as darkness consumes us and the light becomes a distant
memory. Obsession leaks in, and it’s too late before we realize we never needed
the flickering light to live.
One day, a wealthy man came to Jesus and asked, “What must I
do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus replied by telling him he must keep all the
commandments. Proudly, the man replied, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my
youth. (Mark 10:20)” Jesus calmly commanded, “You lack one thing: go, sell all
that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and
come, follow me. (v. 21)” The man left disheartened, “for he had great
possessions. (v. 22)”
Unfortunately, we are like the man who has great
possessions. Notice that Jesus said the man would have “treasure in heaven.”
The man’s possessions meant such a great deal to him, that it outweighed his
anticipation to receive treasures in heaven. He became so obsessed with the
worldly possessions; they began to define him – like the green light that
flickers. He abandoned his true love for something that fades.
Fortunately, everything we need is right in front of us. It
is not in the parties we throw, or the people we know; it is not in the classes
we take and pass, the education we earn, or the job we work. We do not find our
purpose in the television we purchase or the vacations we take. Our life, our
hope, and our purpose is found in Christ and Christ alone. He is our fortress,
our refuge (read the book of Psalm), and our lover. No wonder Jesus told the
rich man to sell all he has! Our riches cause chaos, like it did with Gatsby.
Our identity is in God, and as long as we are reaching out for the green light,
we are only living out an illusion.
We are encouraged to keep our eyes on him. Proverbs 4:25-27
provides the wisdom we need to stay focused on what is right: “Let your eyes
look directly forward, and your gaze
be straight before you. Ponder the
path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.” And the green light?
Do not look at it. It flickers, it wavers, and it is a tempting call to walk
down the wide path of temporary riches and fame. Keep your eyes on the Kingdom
of Heaven, and treasures of the heavenly realm will await you.