KRAMER: I'm completely changing the configuration of the apartment. You're not gonna believe it when you see it. A whole new lifestyle.
JERRY: What are you doing?
KRAMER: Levels.
JERRY: Levels?
KRAMER: Yeah, I'm getting rid of all my furniture. All of it. And I'm going to build these different levels, with steps, and it'll all be carpeted with a lot of pillows. You know, like ancient Egypt.*
In light of this comment on levels, my family and I just saw the movie, "Space Chimps." One of the things I found interesting was that the chimps - and the aliens they visit - all could completely understand eachother; to their own ears they all spoke perfect english. But on another level, whenever the humans tried to communicate with the chimps, all they heard was the monkeys screeching!
In my musing on this subject, I find that certain people just get me. Elements such as shared experiences, common interests or simply good old fashioned time spent together all contribute to determining what level of understanding two people can walk in.
Now, I'm the first to admit I've got a long way to go in my ability to build meaningful relationships where we can begin and potentially continue to communicate at deepening levels of understanding that has moved beyond the screeching of simians and the confusion that brings to all concerned.
But I also discover that Jesus confronted his own disciples for their dullness of hearing, their lack of ability to truly hear him and simply not getting it (Mt. 16:15). Or, in continuing with the imagery, not being at the same level of understanding, seemingly not even possessing the ability to speak the same language or be on the same page he was on.
I'm encouraged by the fact that even considering my own lack of ability to hear and/or understand what Jesus says to me, I can rest in the promise that as one of the sheep he's left the flock to go after, I can recognise, hear and know his voice - even amidst the ranting of the chimpanzees.
In closing, let's go back to the wisdom that is Seinfeld. As the scene progresses we learn that all Kramer needs to complete the 'some big job' that Jerry's dad Morty chimes in with, Kramer is left severly wanting - his ambition and ability to complete the job do not marry up.
You see, I suffer from that to - my ideal overshoots my reality too many times. And yet there is Jesus, still walking with me and offering me the opportunity to share in the secrets he so willing reveals to those he calls 'Friend.' He is the open door, inviting me to come up to another level of understanding and comprehension and yet offering me the freedom to choose to enter in without any threat, imposed pressure or obligation....
Am I willing to go out and get the lumber to work on that job?
* (Source: http://www.seinfeldscripts.com/ThePonyRemark.htm. Cited 31 Dec. 2008)
