“Be as your Father”

Have you ever watched a movie with low expectations but realized it was actually really good? That happened to me just yesterday when I stayed home sick from work. SportsCenter got old after about five times so I scrolled through the DVR to see what I had saved. There on my list was 10,000 B.C. I didn’t remember hearing a lot about the movie, but there wasn’t much else to do, so I clicked play.

The movie is about a tribe that lived—as the title implies—around the year 10,000 B.C. It’s an epic adventure that had me intrigued the whole time. There was also a level of symbolism that kept jumping out at me. So, my movie suggestion for this week is 10,000 B.C. Rent it and enjoy.

No, I’m not moonlighting as a movie critic. It’s just that one line in the movie stood out to me and it got me thinking. Here’s the short version: D’Leh’s father left the village when he was young. Tic’Tic became the leader and kept his promise to never say why D’Leh’s father left. D’Leh grew up thinking his father was a coward, but the truth he later discovered was not what he expected. His father hadn’t left out of fear or irresponsibility; he left to find a way for his tribe to survive. He sacrificed himself for the good of his people. He wasn’t a coward like D’Leh had thought all along; he was a hero. Tic’Tic explained that a good man takes care of his family, but a great man takes much more on his shoulders. Then, with his final breath, he urged D’Leh to “Be as your father.” Be one of those men. Be great. You can experience this scene by watching the video below. The part I am referencing happens at the 2 minute mark.

In thinking about this week’s lesson, that line in the movie really caught my attention. If we could do one thing and do it well, wouldn’t it be great if we would all be as our Father? As followers of Jesus, you and I are urged to be like Christ. In the movie, D’Leh’s father prepared the way for him to succeed. In the same way, Christ has made the impossible possible. He went before us, sacrificed His life, and set the standard for being a great and humble leader. Jesus’ definition of great is much different than the world’s. Being great sometimes requires us to be humble. When we’re feeling selfish, comfortable, mediocre, or proud, let’s pause for a few minutes and look at our lives from God’s point of view. In humility, we as Christ-followers can be great. So go this week and try to be as your Father.