Tonight I had a choice of 3 movies: Mission Impossible, Sherlock Holmes, and War Horse. I made the right choice. I usually make choices based on two criteria:
1. Is it worth paying to see at the cinema on a big screen (which ones can I just watch at home on a DVD)?
2. How do I feel at the moment? If stressed and a little tired, it might call for a night for comedy or a good rom com. If I'm with friends in a mixed group with with guy/girls, a good action film seems to guarantee a good time for all. If I'm feeling a little down, but overly disappointed or depressed, I would feel the need for a good inspiring drama. These days, I stay away from dark films, murder mysteries, and films that make me delve deeper into the despair already triggered by the world around me.
The choice: War Horse, since I thought the sound of running horses and of the bass from the sound of their hooves galloping across the screen, might be more powerful in the cinema than on our 24" at home. Also, I was feeling the need for inspiration on this first day of the new year after a big re-location recently
After having lived in London for 3+ years and yearning to see War Horse - the play - at the theatre, I finally got to see it in the cinema back in the States.
I've never considered myself a 'horse kinda girl' even though I have enjoyed riding horses in the past. But, I can see how this film might convert us all into horse lovers. It had everything I love in a good movie: courage, loyalty, beautiful cinematogrophy, perseverance in the face of mocking enemies, forgiveness, reunions, and, yes, even a Monty Python moment.
Good stories seem to always echo aspets of the Great Story - the great love story of God and humanity. And this one seemed to do a good job of telling the story of how we can belong to God and His faithfulness to us when we are in that kind of a relationship with Him. I can already think of a few scenes that would make for a good sermon illustration which might help paint a really good picture of how those who belong to God, who have responded to His voice, are known by God, are marked by a sign, a seal so He can claim us as His own, and thus redeemed, rescued from death.
The movie also made me think a little about how we should live our lives - this particularly resonates with me during this time of transition, having been uprooted from a place I called 'home' and starting over again. It seemed that Joey had to keep starting over - so many times! And though Joey, the horse, seemed to be moving from owner to owner and from one war camp to another, he served each one of his new masters with skill, determination, and courage and stayed true to those he called 'friends' (in this case, it was another horse). It didn't matter whether his new masters were English, French, or German, he served faithfully and found favour with all who set their eyes on him (everyone from the young Devon boy, to the French country girl, to soldiers on either side of the war). In one scene, it is the horse, that unites soldiers who fought on opposing sides. Though I don't usually find inspiration from a horse and wouldn't normally describe a horse as even having 'good character,' I gain from this horse an insight I think is quite relevant to my life - and the character I would hope to aim towards - that of serving others wholeheartedly as if serving God - trusting that God has things under control and that faithfulness, loyalty, truth, and love WILL abide forever in the end.
All of this reminds me of what the Apostle Paul writes in Ephesians on a quite a controversial topic (I'm sure) among Christians in his day. Just as the War Horse, I'm sure, doesn't condone war, per se, Paul doesn't condone or encourage any form of slavery. But, in the same way war movies often tell the story of heroes, wholehearted service and loyalty and perseverance - Paul encourages us to do the same no matter what 'side' we are on or what situation we are in...
Ephesians 5:6-18
Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.
And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
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