I have been thinking a lot more about Alice in the Cities the last day or so.

The thing that strikes me is that both the main characters, Alice and Philip, have very little purpose in life until their chance encounter. The meeting brings a purpose to each of their lives. In its simplest form, Philip has a little girl to look after and Alice has an adult ‘dad figure’ to wind up. Both move from purpose-free to having a purpose.

I was also struck by the fact that neither seems to realise they are giving the other purpose. This can easily be looked upon as the adult helping out the child in need but on a more authentic level, it is clearly two human beings helping each other and giving each other a purpose and, from that a will, to go on.

From this I draw three main things. The first is that we can never underestimate what value we are causing others to experience in our chance encounters with them. We may think nothing is happening, or that we are not helping in any way – but we can never be sure.

Secondly, this relationship is a co-dependant partnership. Both Alice and Philip actually need each other. I need others and others need me in their lives. I do not have all answers, but can find some answers in relationship with fellow human beings.

Thirdly – and I think this is possibly the scariest. None of this happens without making ourselves vulnerable. Alice brings purpose to Philips life by being vulnerable and by allowing herself to be helped. The film is a film of vulnerability and weakness. To help people develop purpose I am finding that I need to make myself vulnerable – and one of those ways of allowing that is by accepting help of others.

I say this is the scariest because, as a Christian minister, i feel it is my role to help others – but I am starting to think that it is just about as much as being ministered to as doing the ministering. In the Bible Jesus at the well comes to mind, as do the disciples going to find the upper room, get the donkey etc.

Jesus put his welfare into the hands of others, and I wonder if mission has something to do with that level of vulnerability.