When Life Events Collide

I've been riveted by the news from Iran. I'm not quite sure why. Perhaps it's because this uprising reminds me of the events of Tiananmen Square 20 years ago, when I woke to the idea that the human spirit yearns for freedom. I've come to understand that it's actually a spiritual freedom that we long for more than political freedom. But I think that until an individual can recognize this internal freedom, external freedom is much easier to identify and pursue.

Perhaps the events occurring in Tehran are a sign of the groanings of the earth under the weight of the consequences of human action. I had this intuition after the events of 9/11. I wonder at the connection between these seemingly disparate events. And I wonder what kind of beauty the Creator desires to bring out of the ashes at this time. And how we might intercede to facilitate it.

I just can't put my finger on why my attention has been drawn to Iran.

But this is where life events collide. Over a year ago Ian traveled to the Middle East to work on a movie, The Stoning of Soraya M.


Release of the movie has been delayed multiple times, but has finally been set for June 26. It's based on the true story of an innocent Iranian woman who is framed for an offense so that her husband can be free to marry another woman. Ian and I found out about the release date pretty much the same night we started hearing the news from Iran. And we both had the thought that this was a remarkable connection.

I guess we're not the only ones. The star of the film, Shohreh Aghdashloo, with whom Ian worked, was recently interviewed regarding the connection between the events depicted in the film and the events occurring right now.

So as I sit here blogging, coincidentally wearing my crew t-shirt for the movie, I think of the young Iranians who are protesting their oppression, and pray for a more divine release from oppression.

Clarice