Dune

1 John 3:1 “See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are!”

The other day my family went to watch the epic science fiction film, Dune. We all had high expectations heading into it (especially Kyan who is a huge fan of the book), and I’m glad to report that the movie did not disappoint. Towards the beginning of the storyline, Paul Atreides expresses concern about his calling to his father Duke Leto.

“Dad, what if I’m not the future of the House of Atreides?”

Duke Leto responds “a great man doesn’t seek to lead. He’s called to it. But if your answer is ‘no,’ you’ll still be the only thing I ever needed you to be: my son.”

So many of us get so worked up about our calling. Does God want me to this job or that job? Does he want me to live in this city or that city? Does he want me to marry this person or that person? Like Paul Atreides, I’ve often felt an incredible burden about the circumstances of my calling, and whether I’m on the right track.

But the reality is that the head of the heavens relates to us just as the head of Atreides relates to his son. I can never fail in my calling because my calling starts and ends with the fact that I am a child of God. As a son I already have full approval from my father and there’s nothing that I can do to earn more of his love.

Father, I’m so thankful to see how very much you love us. For you call us your children. And that is what we are. Thank you for everything. In Jesus’ name, Amen.