My sister has been telling me for a long-time to watch the
movies “Facing the Giant” and “Fireproof”. I finally got to see both and
immediately wondered why I didn’t watch it sooner.
I have several insights from both movies but since “Fireproof”
deals with marital issues, I would rather reflect on “Facing the Giants”
although I have to mention that the Fireproof OST single “While I’m Waiting” by
John Waller answered my “waiting” prayers for the last few days. Talk about
confirmation!
“Facing the Giants” is a movie about an underdog football
team led by a Christian coach, who went on to win the State Championship.
Being a fan of “Friday Night Lights”, another inspirational football story, I
immediately took to the plot.
My first insight is about the death crawl scene. A player,
Brock Kelley, was made to crawl the field blindfolded carrying a supposedly
140-pound teammate, using only his hands and feet. He was supposed to crawl
only for 50 yards. Before he started, the coach asked him to promise that he
will do his best and never give up. There was the expected grumbling followed
by unbelieving taunts of a few teammates but Brock agreed.
My insight is that it’s oftentimes better that we don’t know
what will happen in the end before tackling a difficult circumstance (a
metaphor on the blindfold). God doesn’t tell us what’s in store, He just asks
that we do our best and never give up.
Brock did just that and eventually reached the endzone (100th
yard) by death crawl, blindfolded, carrying a 160-pound teammate. If he was not
blindfolded, he would just have given up on the 50th yard. The going
got tough but the tough got going. The coach encouraged Brock by telling him
that moving forward through the good times, when Brock was still strong, isn’t
as important as moving on when his own strength falters and his mind, body and
soul can’t take it anymore.
God does things through us that we never expect if we only
allow Him to use us for His purpose. His power is seen not because of our
strength but in spite of our weakness. If only we won’t give up, we will see
Him encouraging us, even pushing us at times… never leaving nor forsaking us.
The second insight I had was during the winning kick made by
kicker David Childers. David was a second-string kicker whose record kick was
just 39 yards. Because the first kicker broke a collar bone during the State
Championship, David was made to kick during the last few seconds of the game.
David doubted himself because aside from the fact that he was small, he was
also just a second-stringer. Besides, they needed a 51 yard kick! David
expected to lose even before he made the kick.
The coach asked David if he believed God can do it. David
answered, “If He wants to!” The coach talked David up by saying that it was not
David’s problem if he can make the 51 yard kick or not. David’s problem was to
give his best and let God do the rest. Well, you know how it ends. “Don’t you
ever let anyone ever tell you that you are under-par, second-rate, or inferior.
I just watched God do a miracle through you. I saw a field of Giants, 85 of
them to be exact, fall on their feet. Now you tell me what’s impossible with
God?”
“Nothing, Coach!”
I learned a song when I was still in elementary. “Do my
best…with Jesus as my strength I’ll do my best, He’ll do the rest” (Kid’s
Praise 5). I’ve already forgotten the song. It’s nice to be reminded through a
very inspiring movie.
I
can do, yes, anything
Through
Christ who strengthens me…
I
just have to put my heart and mind straight to the test,
With
Jesus and determination
“I
will do my best!”
Father, please remind me everyday that I cannot control
everything that happens but I can control what I can give. Teach me not to aim
for perfection but for personal excellence. Remind me not to give up, not to
relax, not to let go until I’m absolutely sure that I’ve given it my all,
regardless of the outcome, in everything I do. For Your Name will be exalted
not in what I will receive but in what I have given. Give me the faith, the
perseverance, the heartfelt spirit of Paul in declaring, “I can do all things
through Christ who strengthens me.”
Capsule: If you’ve already wrestled with God, do not be
afraid to pick a fight with a giant!
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