I am a movie fan. I love most genres and consider myself an amateur movie critic. One would think that someone such as myself might have several movie "favorites," or couldn't pick from the vastness of moviedom. But I do have a favorite that spans all genres: It's a Wonderful Life. Some hate this movie because they think it's boring. To those, I have three words: Attention Deficit Disorder. Some hate this movie because they think it's depressing. To those, I have four words: you missed the point. Some hate this movie because it's in black and white. To those, I have two words, hyphenated: closed-minded.
I don't know how or when this movie became my favorite, but I certainly know why. Besides its humor, the beauty of early 20th century American life, and Jimmy Stewart; besides the wonderful character development and incredible acting (see scene where George Bailey prays at the bar), there is a wonderfully true and human story of redemption and blessing that never fails to bring tears to my eyes.
It's the story of an all-American boy-next-door with a heart of gold. Despite his lofty dreams and ambitions, his sense of responsibility and love of family causes him to always do what is right. And he gets the shaft time after time. As his life goes on and he continues to get the shaft, he fails to realize that all his deepest dreams have been realized-- he has the love of his life, a wonderful family, caring friends, and a satisfying job. When he is royally shafted, he thinks everyone would be better off if he'd never been born-- a typically selfish, self-pitying thought. While he is steeped in this attitude, he is shown (by a theologically incorrect "angel") what the world would be like if he indeed, had never been born. It is enough to cause him to realize how blessed he truly is. His prayer on the bridge is full of emotion and he says, "please God, I want to live again." And if the joy of this "rebirth" wasn't enough, his loving community comes to his aid as he had done for them. As the camera pans over the faces of those who love George Bailey, they sing, and I cry. It's moving, every time.
But as I watch it this year, I find myself strangely paralleled to George Bailey-- a stretch I guess, but I still can see it. Like George, I have lofty ambitions and dreams. I wanted to "...see the world!" as George put it. Yet I find myself roadblocked, time and again and always choosing the responsible option. I sense the trapped, lost, and disappointed feelings George has. So maybe I don't need to be visited by an "angel, second class" in order to realize that thought my dreams and ambitions may never be realized, my life is full and blessed by other things I hadn't counted on. Maybe I'm not married. Maybe I'm not living in Europe. Maybe I'm not jetting around the world. Maybe I'm not a writer or a fashion designer or a baker or an entrepreneur. But I do have a growing relationship with the Lord. I do have students to whom I minister and teach. I do have young girls who look to me to be an example. I do have a loving family. I do have dear friends. And as Clarence writes to George, "no man is a failure who has friends."
So, if you've never seen this fantastic movie, shame on you and see it... NOW. If you have seen it and hate it, shame on you and give it another shot. And if you love this movie as I do, take a lesson from it as I have, and evaluate your life based not on what you haven't done, but on the blessings God has given you and the ways in which you have served the Lord.
Merry Christmas!
No comments:
Post a Comment