(Writer)
Of all the collective that is contemporary Science Fiction, none are more wonderfully bizarre and beautifully captivating from the early 1960s to the late 1980s. This is not a surprise at all, given that this was a time when man was literally reaching for the stars, expanding their minds and consciousness. It was a time when we as a species believed that anything was truly possible. Dune, Star Trek, Planet of The Apes, and even Star Wars are all children of this golden era of contemporary science fiction. Unfortunately, on the other side of the coin, lesser-known science fiction franchises have sadly fallen through the cracks and have landed into the dust heap of history, one of them being Logan’s Run.
Loosely based on the 1967 novel of the same name, this 1976 film focuses on a post-apocalyptic society from the 23rd century that runs on pure pleasure and lust. To the carnal mind, this would seem like an absolute paradise. However, beneath the facade of utopia lies a disturbing and sinister truth: Everyone must partake in state-assisted suicide at the age of 30. To enforce this, a secret state police force, called the sandmen, is tasked with chasing down those wishing to escape the wretched tradition, referred to as runners.
Our main character, a sandman named Logan Five, realizes that his 30th birthday is fast approaching. So, without telling a soul, Logan Five secretly plans to become a runner, the very type of people he swore to bring to justice and, ultimately, their deaths. Late one night, Logan and his girlfriend, Jessica Six, escape the pleasure-filled nightmare through the sewer system, into what seems to them to be a whole vast unknown void, with just the clothes on their backs and no survival plan whatsoever. Despite this, these two young lovers are willing to risk being hunted by the sandmen for the rest of their lives, starvation, radiation poisoning from the nuclear fallout, being mauled to death by the mutated wildlife, etc. All because they crave what all oppressed spirits crave, the sweet, tantalizing nectar that is freedom. All they had to take was that first step out of their comfort zones.
As mammals, we humans are creatures of comfort. We have become addicted to what is easy, pleasurable, and minimal in effort. While there are those of us who will make the argument that we are becoming weaker as a species for the vices, our Heavenly Father doesn’t want us to become comfortable in the Spirit. Now, please understand that comfort can be a sign of growth in the Spirit. But as we continue in our walk with God and we follow Jesus of Nazareth, we will outgrow our situation and will have to move on to the next stage.
An example in the Bible of this is found in the stories of the apostles. Every single one of the twelve had to leave their homes, families, and vocations to follow Jesus (Mark 6:7-12) (Mark 2:13-17) ). Peter and Andrew were successful fishermen, as were James and John. Matthew was wealthy beyond measure because he was a tax collector. Notice their crucial phrase is “was” because they chose to follow Jesus and reject everything.
We can choose the world and all its reaches, or we can be like Joshua 24:15:
“But if serving the lord seems undesirable to you, then choose this day whom you will serve, whether the Gods your forefathers served beyond the river, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we shall serve the Lord.”