True Grit
Last Monday, my suite-mate, Emily, and I decided to go see the movie "True Grit" on a bit of a lark. Emily is student teaching this semester, so her schedule is bound to the 7-4 work day. However, it turned out we were both free Monday evening, so we made decided to defy all social norms and see a movie on a Monday afternoon... we're just a couple of regular hellions!
"True Grit" is the newest Cohen Brothers film, and it was spectacular. I grew up watching "Raising Arizona" and "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" so I was pretty pumped to see their rendition of Charles Portis' book and John Wayne classic. Three things I look for in movies are believable characters, thought provoking story lines, and great music. And this movie has them all! I am not about to attempt to write a movie review, so if you have not seen it... go. It is awesome. I do wish to expound a little bit more on the movie's music.
Warning: Church Music Nerdy Moment - most of the orchestral music is set to the hymn tune "SHOWALTER" which is more commonly known as "Leaning On The Ever Lasting Arms". This is not necessarily my favorite hymns of all time, but I looked up the lyrics after seeing the movie, and the words really spoke to me.
It is easy, as a college student in the 21st century, to pride myself on being able-bodied and independent. The voices of society further perpetuate this idea that I can do anything I set my mind to. This sense of confidence and self serves as a stumbling block on my faith journey. The mentality of "I" can do anything, "I" am the master of my own fate, "I" am in control completely contradict anything I was taught in church. The lyrics of this hymn reminded me of this. Leaning on God and trusting God's will shouldn't be a burden, but a joy! Leaning on God makes the pilgrim's path sweet and bright. We live in a society that places all of the emphasis on "me, myself, and I", when Christians are called to a different kind of life. In Luke chapter 9, Jesus tells us to deny ourselves, take up our crosses, and follow him. The suppression of the ego and one's personal plans is hard, but God's plans are better. It's like Romans 12:2 "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."
It's pretty easy to write about this on a blog, but living it out is quite a challenge. Below is a prayer by Thomas Merton that conveys the desire to follow and trust God, and it captures the trepidation one might have in doing so.
MY LORD GOD, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.
- Thomas Merton
"True Grit" is the newest Cohen Brothers film, and it was spectacular. I grew up watching "Raising Arizona" and "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" so I was pretty pumped to see their rendition of Charles Portis' book and John Wayne classic. Three things I look for in movies are believable characters, thought provoking story lines, and great music. And this movie has them all! I am not about to attempt to write a movie review, so if you have not seen it... go. It is awesome. I do wish to expound a little bit more on the movie's music.
Warning: Church Music Nerdy Moment - most of the orchestral music is set to the hymn tune "SHOWALTER" which is more commonly known as "Leaning On The Ever Lasting Arms". This is not necessarily my favorite hymns of all time, but I looked up the lyrics after seeing the movie, and the words really spoke to me.
What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Oh, how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
Oh, how bright the path grows from day to day,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
Oh, how bright the path grows from day to day,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
It is easy, as a college student in the 21st century, to pride myself on being able-bodied and independent. The voices of society further perpetuate this idea that I can do anything I set my mind to. This sense of confidence and self serves as a stumbling block on my faith journey. The mentality of "I" can do anything, "I" am the master of my own fate, "I" am in control completely contradict anything I was taught in church. The lyrics of this hymn reminded me of this. Leaning on God and trusting God's will shouldn't be a burden, but a joy! Leaning on God makes the pilgrim's path sweet and bright. We live in a society that places all of the emphasis on "me, myself, and I", when Christians are called to a different kind of life. In Luke chapter 9, Jesus tells us to deny ourselves, take up our crosses, and follow him. The suppression of the ego and one's personal plans is hard, but God's plans are better. It's like Romans 12:2 "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."
It's pretty easy to write about this on a blog, but living it out is quite a challenge. Below is a prayer by Thomas Merton that conveys the desire to follow and trust God, and it captures the trepidation one might have in doing so.
MY LORD GOD, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.
- Thomas Merton
I love this!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteKatie, Thanks for posting this - and the Merton quote. Beautiful reminder.
ReplyDelete