The land of Giants (Tuesday, February 14, 2006)

I had an interesting conversation with my friend David Shapiro tonight. We were talking about the founding fathers of our country and how soem of them were especially unbelievable men. David mentioned John Adams as, "a Giant." That term struck a chord in me for some reason. Someone being a Giant of a man... So I posed the question, "David, what do you think makes a Giant?" And I think it is a good question. What makes a man a man for the ages? What qualities exist that make a man's legacy last for so long? What exactly qualifies a man to be thought of in such terms, among such other men?
I offered that it seems that most often it is those who have worked for the benefit of others that are considered Giants. People whose work has bettered the lives of not only the people they directly targeted but for generations afterward. Truly this type of quality existed in MLK, in Gandhi, in Churchill, in Washington, Lincoln, the Apostles, those are a few off the top of my head. I suppose we can consider other types of Giants, such as artistic Giants; Bach, Michelangelo, Picasso, Shakespeare... or scientific Giants; Newton, Einstein, Galileo, Ptolemy, Euclid. But, I think that the truest of the Giants, and this is totally subjective, are the altruists, the first set I described. I long to be one of these men. Why though?
I would abhor it if it were for personal glory. I don't claim to be of completely pure of heart. I don't think it's possible. But I try to genuinely look objectively at my motives, and as much as I can glean, I long to share with others, to connect with others through helping them. This sounds funny as I think it because I'm an actor. But I think that's part of it, why I feel compelled to act. Because I need that connection that I get when I give. I don't see it as selfish or egotistical. I feel it is more of a need to be known because you love others, you love yourself and you want to have an exchange and experience them, and have them experience you. I enjoy that exchange possibly more than anything.
I would love to travel the world making movies so that I a)enjoy my job, b)make a great living, c)use my celebrity and money to travel the world with a more lasting purpose by being a face and voice for philanthropy. Meeting people, talking with different folks, eating their food, listening to their stories, sharing their music and culture, can you imagine what a "world of size" that would open up in any man's heart? What a comprehension of the human condition you could have. And what a forum to show Christ's pure love to all sorts of people with all sorts of need, not the least of them lasting peace. That seems like a big dream. And truly, I'm just looking forward to getting a little raise at work so I can pay my bills. But life is so exciting because the wildest thing not only CAN happen, but DO happen. "Man makes his plans but God determines his steps."
Oh I would pray that my plans would fall by the wayside to the glorious and unimaginable power of God's will in my life. And that I may be a man of quality to try and hang on with all my strength and all my humility.