Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun won our “pick an anime for me to watch” poll…but Shirobako won my heart. Or something like that.
I decided to start watching Shirobako in addition to Nozaki-kun, mostly because of Japes’ post on the series and because of its surprisingly high placement in the Anime Power Rankings. A few episodes in, I’m glad I made the choice.
The thing that jumps out most in Shirobako – in the first few episodes at least – is the busyness and complexity of creating an anime series. Even with all her organizational aids, Miyamori can’t keep up with the dozens of items on her never-ending list of things to do. She can’t find time to eat, sleep, or stay healthy. Except for a day off here or there, it’s literally non-stop.
So why does Miyamori keep all this up? The reason is obvious, of course – she loves it.
Miyamori and her friends are living out their passion (as are the rest of the staff, as episode six’s Idepon storyline shows us). I was reminded of the book Fan to Pro, which incidentally, I won through a contest on Otaku Journalist (and which, incidentally, I still need to read!). It explains how to turn your hobby into your profession, to take your passion and make it your life’s work. These girls are doing as much and my guess is that most of us would like to do the same, to be able to make a living doing that which we enjoy most.
I wonder…is this modern idea something that jives with the Christian faith? In other words, would God approve?
I think the answer is yes…though not necessarily in the way you might think. In fact, the idea of living life for your hobby or passion seems to run contrary to the Christian faith. Why live for the things of this world when scripture so clearly teaches us the opposite?
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.
– 1 John 2:15
And I think therein lies the rub – what is it that we want to live for? What are we most passionate about? For the Christian, these earthly things – wealth, prestige, entertainment, comfort – these things must be secondary, not only in our minds, but in our hearts. A changed life reflects this – we want more of God, not more of the world. Our life should be lived out for our passion – at work, at home, everywhere – and our passion should be Christ.
I’m not saying that if you’re not a missionary or pastor, you’re not living life according to God. But, I am saying this – if you are most in love with something else – your own aims, goals, and work (like Miyamori in Shirobako), your hobbies (OTAKU), even your loved ones, then it’s time to get introspective. Look at your heart. Look to God. Think about the emotional distance between and work to resolve it.
Work to be like Miyamori and pursue with utmost fervor that which is dearest to your heart – that which alone is worthy.
I’m still seeking God regarding what he wants me to do. Currently I feel need to finish school, continue to work at my job I just received ( both of those things will teach me discipline) , and don’t let my spiritual life/lamp/passion for God go out!
” “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. ” – Jesus in Matthew 5:13 (NIV)
Thank you for sharing, and good luck with all that’s on your plate! God bless!
Keeping an eye on what’s important takes constant refocusing. When I tend to veer off (which may or may not happen a lot…it happens a lot) I’m doubly disappointed to find out how easily the random thing I’m aiming at can slip through my fingers or crumple under the weight of my life. That does help when it comes time for the refocusing though.
Yeah, and that’s the trick, right? To keep our focus? I often “refocus” when it’s way too late!
I know i said i couldn’t wait, but wow that was quick. 😉
Hehe, I think I already has this written by the time you had posted that comment! 😉