The way we walk...

It’s no secret I love baseball and that I enjoy watching a good movie when I can. So it should come as no surprise that when 42 released this past weekend, the Fowler family was in the theatre ready to see it. However, purchasing tickets wasn’t as easy of a call as you might think.

The film carries a PG-13 rating because of a handful of cusswords and for a few scenes where the disgustingly nasty n-word is used excessively. While these are not words and terms we want our children hearing or using, we feel the topics of racism and injustice are ones that need be addressed. So after much debate and prayerful consideration, my wife and I decided that the opportunity presented by the movie to engage our children in some meaningful dialogue would be too great of one to let pass…and for us it was the right call.

Within the first few scenes, the weightiness and darkness of that time was deeply felt as the film portrayed the daily cruelty and prejudice that many black Americans experienced. We observed what some of the terrorizing and horrible moments must have been like for Robinson and his family as they were threatened with their lives simply because of the color of their skin. All the while, Jackie was encouraged to have “the guts NOT to fight back.”

As you might imagine, this gave us much to talk about once we got home. We discussed the mean and hurtful comments made by ignorant men as well as the teammates and friends that stood up for Jackie along the way. We acknowledged the importance of always seeking to do the right thing and asked our kids to think about the people we should speak up for… We were blessed by their responses and grateful to share in such a conversation.

Today marks the 66^th anniversary of Jackie Robinson’s major league debut for the Brooklyn Dodgers. To commemorate his perseverance and achievements, players and coaches on every MLB squad across the nation will wear his number 42 on their jerseys. But he is more than an American hero, more than a mere baseball legend. 

Jackie Robinson is a symbol of hope and courage! Because of his efforts, people behind him were given a chance. He paved the way for black athletes, not only for entry into baseball but into other professional sports as well. His high character and conduct helped bring the grievous sin of discrimination back to the forefront of the American conscience. 

So for me, April 15^th is more than the tax deadline. It’s a reminder of how far we’ve come and how much further we still need to go. It awakens me to the fact that faith and love are expressed in action and our lives are to be lived for someone and something much greater and bigger than us. Will we speak against hateful discrimination? Will we stand against injustice and oppression? Will we do our part to put an end to that which crushes the human spirit?

James 4:17 has convicted me for years because it says that if we know the right thing to do and refuse to do it, we’ve sinned. Did you get that? It’s not just when you break a rule. It is saying that you can be obedient to every known law and ordinance and still fall short when you fail to do the thing that you know is right and just. Hmmm… 

I read of men and women in Hebrews 11 that lived for a greater hope and promise than the things of this world. They did not receive all the best of this life for they did not consider this place home. They knew the Lord and found that He indeed was more than enough!  The bible says the world was not worthy of them (Hebrews 11:38) and that these men and women gained approval by their faith, paving the way for you and me. Oh, my prayer is that we too might be found faithful…

So what do you need to address with your family? What is your role for making this next generation stronger and more faithful?