Have you watched the movie yet? What are you waiting for?!
I think I connect with the main character Mahoney more in this sentiment than anything else. I feel in my own life that God is asking me to begin running the store because He’s leaving and I feel like I’m not ready! I know He never “really” leaves me, but in essence He wants me to mature and not be coddled anymore and frankly, that makes me sad. There’s a bit of irony in it all. I need to have the faith and trust of a child and yet I also need the maturity and confidence of a son that when my Father is away I manage things consistent with His ways and nature. I’m sure the disciples felt exactly the same way when Jesus was preparing them for his death. I’m sure they didn’t feel capable or ready in any sense to carry on the ministry without him. They believed in him and his ability to do great things, but they did not believe that they could do great things, let alone, greater things.
In the movie, Mr. Magorium tells Mahoney,”I’m not asking for you to be happy that I must go. I’m only asking that you turn the page, continue reading and let the next story begin. And if anyone ever asks what became of me, you relate my life in all its wonder and end it with a simple and modest He died.”
Next he speaks one of the most powerful lines in the entire movie. “Your life is an occasion. Rise to it!” Can’t you just imagine Jesus holding your face in His hands and speaking those words into your life?! It’s like He’s saying, don’t run away from your destiny, you were born for this! Don’t cower in fear you. If you don’t do it, who will?! When given the chance to dance, don’t turn it down thinking someone else could do it better. You’re the one the song was written for! Wow! It’s so stunning to come to grips with how little we think of ourselves and the impact of our lives in light of the unimaginable worth and value that our Father places on both. “Your life is an occasion! Rise to it!”
I haven’t watched it yet. But I will! It’s in my Netflix queue, at #23. Right between Rambo and Ghost in the Shell Stand Alone Complex: Second Gig.
I haven’t watched it yet…when I went on Amazon to buy it, I instead bought the classic Winnie the Pooh (the one with Christopher Robin) for granddaughter Izabella who has since watched it a zillion times. I’m not a Dustin Hoffman fan but your reviews have been so stirring, I’ll push aside my political views for the duration of the movie.
It is amazing how the Lord speaks to the nation through movies. His words, life, plans are everywhere. The culture oozes with His love and destiny. Lord, give us all the eyes to see it!!