a bicycle dismantled . . . a life retreived

This past sunday was a Film&Dialogue format for The Gathering.  We had the great opportunity to view Jitensha (Bicycle).  It was a great conversation around the way all of us experience certain seasons of "dismantling".  It's in these often slow downward descents that it seems our life is slipping through our fingers---unable to grasp and control anything.  We talked about God being in those moments--not just waiting on the other side with wholeness for us.  The ways we see God must not be limited to pleasant sunrises and brighter days.  We also talked about the movement from isolation to connectedness.  We find at the beginning of the story, Mamoru (main character), has completely cut himself off from everyone.  And through the journey--his "life being retrieved" includes the awkward vulnerable inclusion of others in his life.

Here are a few of the questions that we worked through last Sunday.  I encourage you to continue the conversation here . . .

"Dear Thief, Whoever you are just take the whole thing!  I don't get it, this bit-by-bit business!  It's all yours. - Mamoru"

*What is the significance of 'bit-by-bit' in both dismantling and retrieving life?

"This is the world in which you live...-God"

*why is this statement important even for us?  what does the story speak about being present?

*when have you gone through a similar dismantling - desperation - retrieved process?

*why do you think God is seen in the dismantling or darkness of life?

*how do you see God in the journey or unfolding in his/our rebuilding process?

*how does a story like this give us hope and grace for ourselves and others? how does it reduce our tendency toward labeling/judging?