I'll answer the question right now of who the "mysterious" man in the picture is: As you probably guessed, it's Pete. I asked him to sit there while I took the shot. But setting aside the fact that we actually know who this guy is, the lone person in the theater poses some interesting questions. Why is the man there alone? The empty theater exaggerates the fact that he is there by himself and makes the loneliness you expect he is feeling even more dark. But maybe the man like the dark? Does he, like some of my friends, enjoy coming to movies by himself and find it liberating? Or maybe he's waiting for someone. Who is he waiting for? Did his girlfriend or buddy get up and go to the bathroom or the concession stand? Has he been stood up? Maybe he's waiting. Waiting for you. From the calm, almost happy look on his face, it appears that whatever his circumstances, he is peaceful and content. At this angle and lighting, you may catch a glimpse of him upon a first glance, but it takes another look to really know that he is there. The man doesn't want to be noticed right away. But he's there.
It wasn't intentional when I took the picture, but the emptiness of the theater and the lone man in it is a perfect illustration of what our lives can be like, and how the Lord patiently waits for us. And He waits for us even if we question what he is doing or why he is there. If each individual chair is a different place we choose to be in our life, we can either sit next to God, or we can sit in the opposite corner. If we sit next to Him, we get to engage in conversation with Him and have Him put his arm around us when a scary scene comes along. From seats far away, it's often difficult to notice Him or feel His presence, but He's always there. Waiting. Patiently waiting.
Maybe I read too much into my pictures. Maybe its "just" Pete sitting there, posing for my picture. Maybe its just a man who wants to see a movie. But maybe its more. Just maybe.
