The Unexpected Wisdom of Jim Carrey

Wisdom (the Word which seeks to enlighten all mankind) is always at work, and sometimes in the most unexpected of places – even on the stage of the Golden Globes.

We make many idols, we children of Adam and Eve. It is somewhat unavoidable this side of death. Not just money, sex and prestige, but many-splendored are the things we are tempted to cling to, to worship. At every point of our lives, in areas of our heart that we often can’t see, we are tempted to claim something as our “Pr-r-r-recious.” At times we are victorious against these temptations, but often we are not. So we need the mercy of God, to bring our compass back to true North (this is why daily prayer is so important). And as life goes on, we can progress in this battle – the victories outnumbering the defeats, the pendulum not swinging quite so far from side to side, but maintaining its direction, more and more, upward. Real progress is possible. Thank God.

All of this is to say that life is sticky, and we can get caught in it rather easily. Because life is a pilgrimage in a land of “Not Enough” or “Not Yet”, it’s hard not to grab at something (especially when God hides Himself in everything).

Like a true comedian, Jim Carrey is capable of pointing this out remarkably well. Humor, whose job it is to show the weirdness and ridiculousness of life, is well suited to point out (still in a hopeful way) how this can’t be ‘it’, there’s got to be more. So humor and wisdom are very closely allied.

Maybe the things he mentions here aren’t our particular struggle, but may the esteemed Mr. Carrey’s words help us take our hands off of our various idols – or, at the very least, to ask God to expose them.

How is it that he came to see his former idols (fame, wealth, prestige) to be exposed for what they are? Probably this way:

I don’t think human beings learn anything without desperation. Desperation is a necessary ingredient to learning anything or creating anything. Period. If you ain’t desperate at some point, you ain’t interesting. (Jim Carrey)

Desperation. Suffering. Purification. The refiner’s fire. Wisdom comes through these channels.

You want to make progress in battling with your idols? Ask the Lord to take you into that storm. Ask Him to bring you to the Cross. But, beware. That road is a purifying fire and the fire is always hot. But fear not, brother; do not delay, sister. For it is the pathway towards beginning to live Heaven, right here on Earth.

Yes, Lord! We do not know how to live totally for You! We are double-hearted. The throne of our hearts is a battlefield. But, come – I give you permission – crush the idols. Melt them down! And, in that death (which will feel like the death of me), in that crucifixion, may I gain passage to the New Man, may I gain access to your Resurrection and so be made free to worship you alone. Oh how I wish I could say it with a new, purified voice – Glory! Glory! Glory to God in the Highest! May it be done to me according to Your Word.