"Lady in the Water" and Bob Dylan

I find myself unable to fully wrap my thoughts around Lady in the Water. There were just enough open-ended aspects that left me wondering at the meaning and turn of events in the film. What I did pick up on, however, were the intricate details that could easily be brushed aside by some. Some critics viewed Signs as a feeble attempt at a film about aliens taking over the world. How can such a line be in a movie and not compel you to consider more:

"People break down into two groups when the experience something lucky. Group number one sees it as more than luck, more than coincidence. They see it as a sign, evidence, that there is someone up there, watching out for them. Group number two sees it as just pure luck. Just a happy turn of chance. . . . But there's a whole lot of people in the Group number one. When they see those fourteen lights, they're looking at a miracle. And deep down, they feel that whatever's going to happen, there will be someone there to help them. And that fills them with hope. See what you have to ask yourself is what kind of person are you? Are you the kind that sees signs, sees miracles? Or do you believe that people just get lucky? Or, look at the question this way: Is it possible that there are no coincidences?"

The Village is full of such lines that cause my heart to stir, such as:

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Lucius: Are you not angry you have no sight?

Ivy: I see the world, Lucius Hunt. Just not as you see it.

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There are countless aspects of Lady in the Water, as mentioned, that had me pondering whatever underlying purpose was hidden beneath the storyline. It wasn't until listening to the soundtrack that I began seeing the wonderful details come together.

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In the time of my confession, in the hour of my deepest need

When the pool of tears beneath my feet flood every newborn seed

There's a dyin' voice within me reaching out somewhere,

Toiling in the danger and in the morals of despair.

Don't have the inclination to look back on any mistake,

Like Cain, I now behold this chain of events that I must break.

In the fury of the moment I can see the Master's hand

In every leaf that trembles, in every grain of sand.

Oh, the flowers of indulgence and the weeds of yesteryear,

Like criminals, they have choked the breath of conscience and good cheer.

The sun beat down upon the steps of time to light the way

To ease the pain of idleness and the memory of decay.

I gaze into the doorway of temptation's angry flame

And every time I pass that way I always hear my name.

Then onward in my journey I come to understand

That every hair is numbered like every grain of sand.

I have gone from rags to riches in the sorrow of the night

In the violence of a summer's dream, in the chill of a wintry light,

In the bitter dance of loneliness fading into space,

In the broken mirror of innocence on each forgotten face.

I hear the ancient footsteps like the motion of the sea

Sometimes I turn, there's someone there, other times it's only me.

I am hanging in the balance of the reality of man

Like every sparrow falling, like every grain of sand.

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Not only are illustrations of the Lord's plan seen in this particular film, but this is evidence that such lyrics to a Bob Dylan song move one to seeing and savoring Him for His sovereignty in such unexpected ways. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me--practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. ~Philippians 4:8-9