60 Seconds

“If your house was on fire and you had 60 seconds, what would you take?” That is the question that Declan O'Callaghan asks Anna Brady in the movie, Leap Year, as they are waiting for the train to Dublin. Anna has traveled from New York to surprise her boyfriend, Dr. Jeremy Sloane, after her father reminds her of the Irish tradition that a man who receives a marriage proposal on a leap day must accept it. With a successful career and the prospect of a prestigious address, Anna is convinced that this marriage will be the fulfillment of all her dreams. Still she has no answer to Declan’s question. She really can’t come up with an answer to what she values most; but the question lingers in her mind.

Once she finally reaches Dublin, she is the one who is surprised when Jeremy proposes to her. A few days later while they are getting ready to host an engagement party in their new condominium, Jeremy tells Anna about a call he got from the president of the condo association while they were in Ireland. During the call he thought it would improve their chances of making the purchase if he told the woman that they were engaged to be married. Declan’s question springs to mind.

While their guests are enjoying the party, Anna steps out into the hall and pulls the fire alarm. She helps her guests find their way to the stairs and then goes back in to watch as Jeremy rushes to grab all his electronic devices before heading out. In the next scene, Anna is back in Ireland. She tells Declan, “When my 60 seconds came around I realized I had everything I ever wanted; but nothing I really needed.”

What is important to you? What do you get enthusiastic or excited about? Most people answer these questions by talking about friends, family, sports, music, or movies. They may tell you about their work or some cause they are working on. Rarely will someone mention their religious beliefs, experiences, or practices.

As Paul closes his first letter to the Corinthians, he reminds them, “I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said” (15:3).  As we work together to think clearly about the truth, it is crucial that we understand what is most important so that our lives are not so full of the things we want, that we have no place for what we need.