Warning: This is my unabashed love tribute to John Locke.
2nd Warning: If you don't watch LOST this may make no sense - but read it anyway as my submission of a reason why you should just take some time and watch all 5 seasons.
I love John Locke. I can't say it enough, I loved him from the first season of LOST when he just looked like my Dad. I loved him when he was given his legs. I loved him when he was obsessed by the hatch. I loved him when he walked around and tried to provide sage wisdom to anyone who would listen. I loved his flashbacks. I loved his leadership feud with Jack. I loved his decision to stay on the Island. I loved his passion and his insanity.
But it was only after tonight why I truly realized I loved him. John Locke is me - John Locke is you. John Locke is all humans. John Locke is Chosen, Blessed and Broken.
Locke is 'chosen' by the island - brought there repeatedly and involved deeply in its work and in its purpose and its events. Most importantly - he is chosen as someone 'special.' To the island, Locke is entirely and completely special. Locke is 'blessed' by the island - given his legs - his life - his purpose - his reason for living - and countless opportunities. Opportunities to lead and opportunities to love.
Finally, and most endearingly, Locke is broken - repeatedly. Locke is broken physically an astounding number of times, and he struggles with this. But Locke is broken in a more deep and menacing way than that. Locke is repeatedly told by most that are not manipulating him that he is NOT SPECIAL - that he has no value to them. This, perhaps, is his most human quality. I've read Henri Nouwen say, "it is much easier to accept the inability to speak, walk, or feed oneself than it is to accept the inability to be of special value to another person ... when we sense that we no longer have anythign to offer to anyone, we quickly lose our grip on life." Pardon me for my Locke bro-mance, but I just can't get over what I see of my own struggles in him...
... and somehow it gives me hope - the Island which has chosen me has greater blessings, greater brokenness, and further gifts to give yet!
