The Popcorn Parables are starting this Sunday. Possibly the most popular sermon series of the year, one might think of them as trivial entertainment. They are not. Jesus pointed to visible examples of what he was preaching as a teaching tool. His parables sought to convey in the everyday life of his listeners the eternal truths of God. Many of the movies we watch can also remind us of God’s truth.
The theme this year is “True Grit.” The question I’m asking is, “What does it take to live courageously in the face of the many challenges we face every day?” Remember that Mark Twain lamented, “It is curious that physical courage should be so common in the world and moral courage so rare.” There are examples of physical courage every day as people challenge the physical world through the increasingly more rigorous and dangerous adventure sports. But where are the examples of moral courage? Where are people taking personal risks to do the right thing even though it might cost them dearly? While the crowd might stampede in one direction, where are the voices that are willing to speak up and risk pointing in a different direction—a more godly direction?
The four films selected tell the story of four very different people who had one thing in common: They displayed true grit in their time and place: Invictus, Bonhoeffer, Temple Grandin, and The King’s Speech.
Apartheid ended in 1994, but the hard work of rebuilding a nation torn apart by racism was just beginning. Invictus tells the story of Nelson Mandela and François Pienaar, two very different men who each in their own way showed true grit as the 1995 South African rugby team became a metaphor for the challenges facing the entire nation.
After 27 years in jail, Nelson Mandela (played by Morgan Freeman) was released in 1990. The brutal apartheid which had characterized South Africa was crumbling. But what was quickly taking its place was just as brutal, as black rule resulted in the same kind of discrimination, only this time with the black government officials retaliating against their former white oppressors. Apartheid had crippled the nation morally and economically. South Africa was a pariah among nations, banned from the Olympics and other international sporting events as well as the subject of numerous economic boycotts.
Elected in 1994 as the new president of a new South Africa, Mandela continued his monumental effort to create a new nation based on reconciliation. Being a visionary of what could be, Mandela was also a gifted politician who understood the tremendous power of symbols to move and shape us as people. He saw his first Springboks game and realized the Springboks themselves represented the apartheid of the past as the whites rooted for the favorite team, and the blacks rooted for other national teams to beat their own South African team. Knowing that South Africa was set to host the 1995 Rugby World Cup, Mandela grasped the possibility of capitalizing on the international rugby tournament as an opportunity to reshape the racial dynamics of his horribly divided country. But he couldn’t do it by himself—he needed an accomplice.
His unlikely accomplice turned out to be the captain of the Springboks rugby team, François Pienaar (played by Matt Damon). During a meeting hosted by Mandela, he subtly suggested both men had something to contribute to the good of their country. The two men set about in their own way through their own personal examples to reshape a nation and win as a symbol of what is possible if reconciliation brings people together.
I found this movie, while taking the customary Hollywood liberties, is praised for being quite accurate by those who were a part of the real story. I was moved by the hope that it is not in our words that our faith is ultimately lived, but in our actions. It is one thing to talk about reconciliation, it is quite another to practice reconciliation in real life with real people who have really hurt us. It takes courage to enter that place where God can and will do what we cannot for ourselves. I recommend reading Joshua 1:1-9 and 2 Corinthians 5:16-21.
Now for what’s on my desk…
See you at the Andy's following the second worship service this Sunday. This is one of those Sundays that gives us permission to dress casual for church so we can go directly up to the Diamond A Rec Center. Things will get underway at 1:00 PM. Remember there is a swimming pool, so if you would like to swim, bring your swimsuits, towels, sunscreen. There will be all kinds of activities including softball and horseshoes. We will be providing the food, drinks, utensils, plates and cups. All you need to do is show up. Please join the staff as we celebrate all our volunteers.
Now you know what I know.
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