Give=Live.
Copyright Tristar pictures
Its not going to be easy.
“I dont need easy, I just need possible”
The above was just a snippet of the many incredible quotes in the movie Soul Surfer ©. I was hesitant at first to see the movie for the simple fact the quality would possibly be poor because it was a Christian movie. Sometimes you have to endure through the quality of a Christian based production due to low funding although you walk away with lifelong lessons. Soul Surfer © was definitely comprised of great acting, a good story line, as well as phenomenal production that is usually missing in movies that tend to highlight Christ. I did my heart good to see that the obvious theme and root of the movie was Christ centered. I sat with friends and just talked about the movie for about 45 minutes after it was done, very inspiring film. If you have not seen it, here is the trailer
The most inspiring point in the movie for me came when Sarah Hill a youth pastor played by Carrie Underwood speaks about perspective (which I just preached on last sunday). She quotes Jeremiah 29:11 early in the movie “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
She later reiterates the point of perspective in a talk with Bethany (AnnSophia Robb’ character) after she tries to adjust to her new life without her arm. The entire movie revolved around perspective and most of all having a Christ Centered view of life and its circumstances and pitfalls. The climax of the movie in my view wasn’t Bethany catching a wave at the end and accomplishing her goal to surf but It happened on her missions trip scene in Thailand. Bethany had been overwhelmed with her circumstance and the response of all those around her, but in Thailand it was a different story. In Thailand she saw the devastation left on others due to a tsunami and she becomes overwhelmed by a woman’s grief from losing family in the tsunami. As she is crying from hearing this woman’s story Sarah Hill (youth pastor) comforts her and says something to the extent, “Don’t be afraid of having a compassionate heart.”
This line definitely struck a chord in my heart and cause me to think of Christ in Matthew 9. Christ had been out on a boat alone grieving the death of his dear cousin John the baptist who had just been beheaded by king Herod. As his boat began to float ashore he caught a glimpse of the people and His perspective snapped into place,
“But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.”
He went from hurt and mourning the death of a loved one to compassion once He saw the bigger picture He was called to fulfill. Christ is our example and a high priest who †can sympathize with our weakness because he lived a human life. The main point and parallel I want to draw from the movie is Bethany didn’t truly start to live until she not only looked beyond her own circumstance but she begin to help others; and thats the key. I wrote this quote once I heard Sarah Hill (youth pastor/Underwood) speak on not fearing the hurt of compassion;
“GIVE TO LIVE. THIS IS LOVE.
Don’t be afraid of compassion, glory that your heart breaks for others, then put action to that compassion”
There is something about that scene once she reached outside of her own hurt and circumstance she began to see the bigger picture and actually live above her own situation. Its the same as the illustration of the man who was overwhelmed once he saw how far away the top of the hill was. Along comes a women in desperate need of help getting up the hill so he helps her. He is so captivated in helping this woman he forgets his initial distress with climbing the hill. Not only does he feel fulfilled by helping this woman but he reached the top of the hill helping her because he took his eyes off of himself. In the same way once Bethany gave of herself she gained a fresh breath of air to live more. I find this concept of God to be one of the most profound and captivating to the Christian mindset. It defies the laws of conventional knowledge and logic and puzzles many intellectuals; the ability to live only as you give. Or as Jesus put it, “†For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” Love will always find a way out of the darkest situations, mankind was lost at one point but, “†God so loved ➜He gave.”
Pespective: Are you giving of yourself if not, are you truly living?
†Hebrew 4:15
†Luke 9:24
† John 3:16
