In solidarity with subculture

Today at 12:01am we cheered along with a whole theater full of people for the last and FINAL Harry Potter movie.

Which in my humble opinion was worth my sleepiness this morning. Amidst the hype and the preparations--our house went all-a-frenzy creating a "harry potter" experience as a pre-party, I found myself reflecting on why this type of dedication and passion seems to have such a draw. (I mean the ENTIRE theater, every screening room was packed full of "Potter-wotchers").

Why do we want to join a following? Why do we want to attach ourselves with others to become "fans"? Why do we click the "like" button? Why do we want to express to others just how much we identify with this xyz subculture?

I think it's cuz we resonate with their journeys. We resonate with feeling small and incapable of doing a task that's way above our heads. We resonate with battling dark things that feel unknown and uncontrollable. We resonate with the needing to choose between what's good and what's selfish and how unclear and troubling those choices can be. But underlying these cult followings (HP, Matrix, Bourne, Rocky Horror picture show etc...) there's always this desire to fight. Whether it's oppression or convention, there's a fist that says "I don't think so." And so many of us gravitate towards wanting to shake our fists.

There's hope in the fist, yes indeed. It's a proclamation! "We're not defeated. Life's not gotten the best of us. We're not taking no for an answer." And though our hearts doth protest, perhaps too much, perhaps it's not too crazy. Perhaps it's not wrong to want to believe in something. Perhaps, just perhaps, we are just responding in ways that we were meant to. And when we cry out, shall we hear the thunder of the Lord answer?

The wicked say to themselves, “God will never notice;
he covers his face and never sees.”

Arise, LORD! Lift up your hand, O God.
Do not forget the helpless.

(Psalm 10:11-12)