Alien Life Form

There is no doubt in my mind that I am dating myself, but one of my favorite television shows as a child was ‘ALF’. ALF was a sitcom that ran four seasons from 1986 to 1990. The plot involved an alien, ‘ALF’, crash landing in to the garage of an average, middle-class family living in the suburbs. The Tanner family decides to hide ALF until he can repair his spaceship and return home. This, of course, led to various wacky and amusing scenarios. References to ALF’s appetite for cats alone accounted for at least 25% of the show’s comedy. The rest was typically provided by ALF’s snappy one liners or scenarios that involved hiding ALF’s existence from the Tanners’ nosy neighbors, the Ochmoneks. On one of my favorite episodes, Mrs. Ochmonek baby-sits for the Tanners. ALF, supposed to be confined to the Tanners’ bedroom, finds himself trapped outside while waiting for a pizza. ALF tries to get back in to the house and of course, hilarity ensues. Another sidesplitting episode featured the cast of Gilligan’s Island. Well, maybe you just have to see it. Mesmerized by both puppetry and situation comedy, ALF kept me glued to the television during its entire run (including the series’ subsequent syndication and spin-off animated series). Maybe I tuned in each week to learn an important moral lesson. Maybe I was emotionally involved in the struggle of an alien in a foreign world. Maybe I just love brainless television programming.
The theme of 1 Peter is that followers of Christ are “aliens and strangers in the world.” (2:11) No, we aren’t necessarily furry little dwarves who enjoy feasting on felines and racking one-liners. Being “aliens and strangers” means not longing for this world. Sure, there are a lot of attractive choices in this world. Among them are fame, fortune, and other pursuits of temporary happiness and security. We are a chosen people. While we may have to submit ourselves to the authorities of this world while we live in it, one day we will be free of our bodies and living in paradise. We absolutely should feel like ALF as strangers in this land. God wants us to feel uncomfortable when everyone else around lives sinful, impure lives. Unlike ALF, we need to be secure in our faith and let it be known. We are to come to the rescue of those who do not know the love of God.