This weekend we watched the movie "The Machine Gun Preacher". I will start by saying this movie is not for everyone. Certainly not meant for anyone under 18. For the pacifists among us the title is probably enough to cause concern; however, if you have never heard of this movie or the man on whom it is based I would challenge you to at least watch a preview. We debated even renting it. A story laced with drugs, sex, alcohol, violence, not our typical viewing choice to say the least but the life of Sam Childers drew us in. In short Sam's story is one of redemption, incredible redemption. God drew Sam out of the depths of drug abuse, crime, and dark violence. He called him out and drew him to South Sudan where he built an orphanage in the heart of a war zone because he felt God had spoken to him. Where Sam runs into controversy is his methods for protecting the children in this area. He is a rough man who will stop short of nothing to rescue these children including the use of guns against opposing forces. The movie and Sam's life are filled with violence. Children killed mercilessly, unthinkable acts of violence carried out towards them and their families. I found myself questioning is this something God would want me to spend my Saturday night watching? Surely some G rated movie would have been a better choice? Do those even exist anymore?
Yet, here it is Monday afternoon and I am still thinking about it. Still thinking about the lengths at which this man risks his life to save children. Still thinking about the unfathomable war zone these children are living in. I am uncomfortable. I am disturbed. I am thankful for both. Too often I think I get caught up in my comfortable life worrying about whether or not I should shop for a new sweater for Christmas. Worrying that I have not found the perfect gift for someone, or that my hair is just not looking right these days. Worrying about what paint to redo my kitchen with or what to defrost to make dinner. I am disturbed but I am thinking. Thinking about the world. Thinking about children and their safety. Thinking about Sam and his controversial approach in South Sudan.
Would God want me to watch this movie? He watches it in real-time every day. My heart is broken over this hour. He watches prostitutes, drug abusers, criminals, war lords, militia carry out their acts over and over again, everyday. What must He feel like day after day? I don't know what God thinks of Hollywood's portrayal of Sam's life. But I don't see Him being too upset when our hearts are broken by the hurt of innocent people. When we are drawn away from thinking about ourselves and begin to think about others. As I said, this movie is not for everyone. The images graphic, the language explicit, it is disturbing, it makes you feel uncomfortable but for that I am thankful. I think I need to feel a bit more uncomfortable more often.
Yet, here it is Monday afternoon and I am still thinking about it. Still thinking about the lengths at which this man risks his life to save children. Still thinking about the unfathomable war zone these children are living in. I am uncomfortable. I am disturbed. I am thankful for both. Too often I think I get caught up in my comfortable life worrying about whether or not I should shop for a new sweater for Christmas. Worrying that I have not found the perfect gift for someone, or that my hair is just not looking right these days. Worrying about what paint to redo my kitchen with or what to defrost to make dinner. I am disturbed but I am thinking. Thinking about the world. Thinking about children and their safety. Thinking about Sam and his controversial approach in South Sudan.
Would God want me to watch this movie? He watches it in real-time every day. My heart is broken over this hour. He watches prostitutes, drug abusers, criminals, war lords, militia carry out their acts over and over again, everyday. What must He feel like day after day? I don't know what God thinks of Hollywood's portrayal of Sam's life. But I don't see Him being too upset when our hearts are broken by the hurt of innocent people. When we are drawn away from thinking about ourselves and begin to think about others. As I said, this movie is not for everyone. The images graphic, the language explicit, it is disturbing, it makes you feel uncomfortable but for that I am thankful. I think I need to feel a bit more uncomfortable more often.
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