It's a Wonderful Life
I love the movie It's a Wonderful Life! Have you ever watched it? If not, you should grab a box of tissues and go watch it. I watch it every year and every year I cry sad, happy, and understanding tears.
The story follows George Bailey who dreams of exploring the world, building big buildings and planning cities. "He wants to do something big, something important." Through a series of events, he unselfishly gives up his dreams, stays in the small town of Bedford Falls, marries, has a family and takes over his father's business: The Bailey Building and Loan.
Mr. Potter is the"richest and meanest man in the county" and he tries seizing control of people's lives in Bedford Falls every chance he gets. George fights to hold ground in the town and give people freedom from Mr. Potter through The Bailey Building and Loan; "somewhere where people don't have to go crawling to Potter." George struggles with frustration and anger throughout the movie that he hasn't "shaken the dust of the crummy little town off his feet and seen the world."
Little does he realize that he is doing something much more important than he thinks!
There are a couple of crucial points in the movie:
First, Mr. Potter tempts George with a job offer. He appeals to George's dream to travel and promises him wealth. All George has to do is let go of The Building and Loan, handing it over to Potter.
George refuses Potter's offer.
Second, Mr. Potter says to George that he is worth more dead than he is alive.
George is tempted to take his own life when God intervenes by sending Clarence, George's guardian angel. Clarence gives George the gift of seeing how his choices in life have had a good impact on the lives around him. He does this by showing him what people's lives would be like if he was never born.
After seeing this, George pleas for his life. He says, "please, God, let me live again!"
At the end of the movie George is surrounded with his family and all the friends he has helped who are now helping him in his time of need. At this time, he sees a book with a note in it from Clarence that says, "No man is a failure who has friends."
This reminds me of what Jesus said, "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13)
Jesus is the ultimate Friend!! He did what no other human has or ever will do. He laid down His perfect life for all mankind. He died on the cross, paid the penalty for our sin, and settled our debt with God the Father. He then rose again and gives life and strength to all those who are His. We enter into this friendship, this relationship, through faith in Him alone.
Even though we have failed and will fail, ultimately we are victorious through Jesus Christ. We are not a failure when Jesus is our Friend, when He is our Rescuer, our Lord, and the Foundation on which we build our life upon.
Like Potter, Satan wants us to believe that we will be happier living life for ourselves. He wants us to accept his "job offer" to live life building our own kingdoms, our own "skyscrapers and cities".
Jesus tells us differently:
"If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?" (Mark 8:34-36)
You see George was tempted to let go of the good he was fighting for. Fighting for the poor and oppressed and sacrificing one's own adventures to lend a helping hand, seemed small and insignificant when measured up to building skyscrapers and designing cities.
He was tempted to stop denying himself but he saw the temptor for what he was. He responds to Potter's job offer and says, "you sit around here and you spin your little webs and you think the whole world revolves around you and your money. Well it doesn't, Mr. Potter. In the whole vast configuration of things, I'd say you were nothing but a scurvy little spider!"
Satan is the father of lies. He spins webs of deceit and tries to entice us into them.
He tries to deceive us into believing that living for ourselves is better than the purpose Jesus gives us. When we are Jesus' friends, His followers, He calls us to love Him and others. He injects our lives with purpose: defend the widows and the fatherless, help the sick, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit those who are in prison and so on. These things may not look or feel significant, but these are the very things that change lives; these are the very things that change homes and neighborhoods and cities! When we deny ourselves and live life for the sake of the Gospel, people will see the love of God shining through us.
Satan also tries to deceive us into thinking we are worth more dead than alive. He wants us to believe we are failures and that people don't need us; that people would be better off without us. This is a lie! God is the Creator and giver of life. He sees and knows each individual soul.
"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made." (Psalm 139:13-14)
As a child of God, our victory is already won in Christ! God continues His work in our hearts, minds, and actions to bring glory to Himself and shine His Truth to others. Even when we fail, He is faithful to forgive us and we can come boldly and humbly before His throne to ask for mercy and grace in time of need!
We have purpose in Christ!
By God‘s grace, like George, we can deny ourselves and fight the seemingly "small" battles for what is good in our homes, in our neighborhoods, and in our cities.
By God’s grace, we can be a living sacrifice for the sake of the Gospel and shine the love of Jesus to the world.
We can live surrendered to God, and be His hand extended to those in need.
Like George, we can plea for the life of selflessness. We can denounce Satan's lies, and believe that True Life comes from our Truest Friend, Jesus, and living out His purpose.
Blessings,
Amy
