Movies

(While I am looking at this in the context of children, teens, and young adults, I am sure there are adults who this can relate to also. It just became a realization to me after conversations with teens.)
I love a cheesy Hallmark movie! I know how it's going to end 5 minutes into the movie, but it doesn't make it any less fun to watch. There is always a dramatic, romantic happy ending- the one we've been waiting for throughout the movie!
I also love watching Christian movies and have been excited to see that more and more Christian movies have become popular. In the last few years, more Christian movies have hit the theaters than ever before. I have taken this as a good sign for society.
What could be bad about positive, wholesome movies becoming available for people to watch? Whether it's about the fun of romance that is portrayed as Hallmark movies tend to, PG rated as opposed to R, or Christian movies that get people thinking and talking about God more, I have been happy to see their popularity.
But, I came to a realization this past week that has possibly changed my perspective. At the very least, it has caused me to think and made me realize I need to have more conversations about them. I have lived long enough, seen and experienced enough, to know that life doesn't always happen like it does in the movies. But, when movies are advertised as "based on a true story" and people haven't had as many experiences and people are questioning and searching for direction and answers, I think these Christian movies can hurt us. You see, when people are looking for answers and trying to figure out what they believe, they search for what they have access to. And, when they see movie after movie of miracle after miracle, when they see how God is so apparent and practically has a neon sign directing someone's path, and then they don't experience that mountain top, earth shattering moment in time, I think it makes them doubt that God is in their lives. They wonder why they question and why they don't have all the answers like the people in the movies. And, then that makes them feel like they are bad, or wrong, or not as important.
I'm sure this was never the intention of the movies, but it's something we need to be aware of. It's something we need to have conversations about. Some people are "born again" and have a big moment in life, can name the day and time when they said yes to God. Some people have known God all their lives and just knew He was a part of everything in their lives. Some people question things and that is the way they develop their own beliefs. Some people have experienced or witnessed a big miracle while others witness miracles daily in the sun rising or setting and the birds singing. We need to make sure people know that just as love and relationships don't always happen like the Hallmark movies, our love and relationship with God doesn't always happen like the Christian movies.

Mission Week- Tuskegee, AL 2019

I've been home just over 24 hours. Since then, I've led a Parent's Night Out where 3 of the youth volunteered to help, gone to church where I saw half the team this morning, and answered numerous calls, texts, and conversations about youth group tonight. My team just got back and are wanting youth group so we can all be together again! I call that a win!

I figured out this week that this is my 18th mission trip, 16th that I have planned and led, the other 2 I just helped with. Each trip has been so different! That proved to be the case this year, too. After several years of doing projects like helping in soup kitchens, food pantries, and other "social justice activities", I realized my group was ready for a construction trip. It was time to go back to Tuskegee, AL, the place where it all began. 

With plans in place down to the last detail, I was ready to go! In fact, my biggest stress seemed to be that I couldn't figure out what was left to do the week before we left! Everything was working right on schedule! So, that meant it was time to let go and let God take over. I learned the first year that all the planning ahead was great, but once we left it was time for me to give control over to Him. (Of course He was definitely in the planning part, too, but I love watching Him show up on every trip throughout the week!)

This trip was a great mix of participants. With 7 girls and 5 guys, it's probably the most even we've ever had. We had 3 new mission trip participants, 1 senior who is on her last mission trip as a student, and everything in between. There were some who were already close and others who didn't know each other very well before the trip.

On each trip, the scripture theme really sets the tone for the trip. Sometimes I know that way ahead of time and sometimes it just hits me near the beginning of the trip as I get to know the group. That was the case this time. Colossians 3:12- 17 became a clear guide for us throughout the week. Each small group chose words from the scripture to focus on and keep their small group members accountable for. Each day, our focus remained on how God expected us to act based on that scripture. 

On one particular evening, our nighttime closing turned into hours of discussing the difference between our life choices and the words this scripture encourages us to use as a guide for our life choices. Our discussion led to encouragement, love, and support from each other to make the right life choices and gave the group assurance that when one is struggling, the rest of the group will always be there to help. Those are the moments when God takes over! 

On the first workday, I could see the hesitation- the roofing team wasn't sure about getting on the roof and the porch team wasn't sure they could figure out how to accomplish their project. By day 2, the roofing team was walking on the roof with confidence and the porch team was getting things done and knew what they still had to do and how to do it. The transition was amazing in just one day! 

But, by the end of the week, the transition on day 2 was nothing compared to the transition their hearts had made, the transition in their relationships with each other and with God. For the opportunity to witness God in action, I am grateful. 

If we look at this scripture as a screen to make decisions through, how will our lives transition?

"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do,whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:12-17

So, where was God this week? He was speaking to us through His word, He was loving us through the support of others who were His hands and feet, and He was working with us and encouraging us every step of the way.

Blessings,

Jennifer