Monday, January 19, 2015

Why you should go see Selma...

Last Monday my wife and I went to watch the recently released movie, Selma. Now, I could write you a brief review and talk about all the reasons that we liked it. I could give you a rating based on a number of stars or thumbs up, but plenty of others, far more qualified than I, have already done that. What I'd like to do today is give you a short list of reasons why I recommend you go watch this film.


1)     It’s timely. Not because today is MLK Day and not because Black History Month is up next, but because the message it offers speaks to our nation right now. Despite the fact that the events depicted in the film occurred nearly 50 years ago, evidence of racism and corruption persist today. Granted, we have come a long way, but clearly we still have a distance to travel. Selma illustrates the labor, toil, and unity necessary to bring about change. It does not happen at one’s convenience; it is not a simple process; sacrifices shall be made if such lofty goals of justice and equality are to ever be fully realized. The film portrays this well and during a time that such a message needs to be heard.

2)     It’s about OUR history. While the movie’s central figure is Martin Luther King, the story is much bigger than him. And this movie is not about Black History but our history – American History. Watch the film, then follow up with some research of your own. This was a sad time in our nation’s history, but ignoring it does not make it any less true. Meanwhile, embracing it for what it was and seeking to understand the forces behind the events might just aid in avoiding such atrocities in the future.

3)     We need to talk about Selma. We need to talk about Ferguson. We need to have conversations about our history – how far we’ve come and how much further we’ve still yet to go. We need to dialogue about the issues that have divided, as well as the ones that are currently causing friction. But as we pursue this, we must do so with an eye on gospel reconciliation. As believers, we must maintain a focused determination to seek an understanding of one another. We must desire authentic unity and work tirelessly toward that goal. And before we can ever walk in genuine peace, we must first be able to talk about and discuss these difficult matters at hand.

4)     There are many sweet pictures of the Gospel. I cannot go into them all here for I want you to go see this movie for yourself. However, I will share one of my favorite themes from Selma. The film highlighted Martin’s need for encouragement. Not only was he taking on the violent, racist authorities of the South in a peaceful, non-violent way, but he had other problems to deal with as well. Martin had some trouble at home, things beyond the normal threats his family had grown accustomed to. There were also divisions among the blacks that had to be addressed. Although these men and women were working toward the same goal, they were not always on the same page. Their methods varied and as a result, conflict came about. Can you imagine how tiring it must have been? King was exhausted and fearful that he could not finish his race. Thankfully, he had a Barnabas or two in his corner to offer up truth when his flesh was weak. Folks, we need a community of friends in the faith that can encourage us to endure this good fight we’ve been called to. The movie truly captures this well.

5)     At the end of the day, racial issues are Gospel issues. Our only hope of finding healing lies at the foot of the cross. If we can meet there, hand in hand, as brothers and sisters in Christ, perhaps there we can find the healing our nation so desperately needs. There we can finally see each other as fellow image bearers of the King. There we will discover God-ordained equality and realize the beauty of our differences; we can experience the growth and development of churches ready to prepare us for the glorious diversity that will one day be enjoyed in heaven. At the foot of the cross we will finally see racial lines and hindrances disappear; we can learn to love and listen and empathize with one another. We can seek the Spirit’s power to be longsuffering; we can find the fortitude to stand with each other, even if we stand to gain nothing more than freedom for a friend; for a cause of rejoicing in him, truly is enough.

Many of us acknowledge that there is much brokenness and great need for healing in regard to racial reconciliation. We often wonder what we can do to make a difference. I’m not certain that I know the answer, but I assume that it will take doing something. We cannot sit back and wait for the opportunities to come to us. We must pray for wisdom, for guidance and discernment, then make a plan to get involved in working for a solution. And your entry into this progress may start by simply buying a movie ticket and having a conversation.

Matt Fowler - NBC Family Pastor of HS
@fattmowler





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