It's a Wonderful Life. I first came upon this movie around my middle school years. It was on TV late at night when everyone else was in bed. I only caught the second half of it but I got the concept and it changed my life and laid the groundwork for my faith. I thought I was worthless and my life was meaningless. I felt unloved and completely unlovable and It would be better if I'd never been born. The movie proved me wrong. It changed the way I looked at humanity. Every life has a purpose. Every life is a necessary part of the story. If one person had not been born we would all suffer terrible consequences.
The movie also does a great job of communicating that there is a bigger picture that we can't see. It seems like all is lost. George Bailey thought he was going to prison, losing his family and losing everything he had fought so hard for because of something he didn't even do. It was unjust and it seemed as though the evil villain Mr. Potter was going to win. He despaired and he lost faith. He thought death was his only way out, but he was wrong. I guess I may have given too much away already. Have you not seen it? You MUST!
It reminds me of another story, a TRUE, real life story. Jesus was born into humble circumstances. He worked hard and affected many lives without any financial gain to show for it. He was falsely accused and faced the terrible punishment of a tortured death. It seemed as though the evil villain had won and the innocent Jesus would lose everything when he lost his life. He despaired in the garden asking for this cup to pass by him but he knew what he had to do and unlike George Bailey, it was Christ's destiny to die to fulfill the bigger purpose. His disciples abandoned him. His very own children whom he created and loved and was dying for mocked him and spit on him. But:
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.He rose again. He demonstrated his power over death and therefore over everything by coming back in physical bodily form. The resurrection is not just a Bible story. It is a historically documented fact. I think everyone owes it to themselves to look into this story, to study the man who claimed to be God and demonstrated it with many miracles. My favorite book on the subject is
The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel.
God used
It's a Wonderful Life to show me that I had value and purpose. When I was 18 I heard and understood the gospel for the first time. When I was 19, in a moment of desperation, I admitted I needed him and accepted the free gift of salvation he offered to me. When I was 20 I read
The Case for Christ and my faith found a strong foundation in historical fact. Who is Jesus? I think it was C.S. Lewis that first said Jesus is either a liar, a lunatic or Lord. After examining the evidence and experiencing God first hand I do believe with all that I am that Jesus is Lord.
My recommendations:
If you haven't seen the movie - see it.
If you haven't read the book - read it.
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The honors of the big chop off went to my talented friend Cooper.
The honors of the big chop off went to my talented friend Cooper.
and into the mail:
and into the mail:
