THE BLIND SIDE

Inspiration to help guide our lives can come to us in many different forms—through music, art, photography, people we interact with, writings, books, and even some movies.

Have you read any books or seen any movies that you could really relate to, and they make you want to share them with others because you believed in the message so much?

Or, maybe you thought they would encourage someone else like it did you?

Often, I think our lives can be enriched by the lessons we might learn from them and hopefully implement some of them in our lives if possible or needed.

I will admit I don’t really watch much TV, in fact we still just have basic cable at our house just so we can get clear reception. Making enough time to watch movies at home is a struggle for me too. There just doesn’t seem to be enough time. Once in awhile, I will get to a movie theater to see a “touching” movie. You can probably tell I’m not really into the sci-fi, adventuresome movies…yes, you might even say my movie watching is kind of boring, but I am okay with that.  😃

During a recent bus trip to Yankee Stadium, I had the pleasure of watching the movie, The Blind Side, for a second time. As I was watching it this time, I felt inspired to jot down “lessons” or strong points that struck me from the movie.For me personally, The Blind Side is a powerful movie with many great messages to reflect on. It also made me think of parallels in our walk with the Lord. If you have not seen the movie yet, I would encourage you to definitely watch it and hopefully you will be blessed too!

Just in case you were wondering, if I could be any character from the movie in real life, without a doubt I would say the mom, Leigh Ann Tuohey, played by Sandra Bullock. For me, she fit the part perfectly and played the role so wonderfully…How I wish I had her confidence, convictions, and love that she portrayed in the movie. Her actions impacted one person’s life in such a dramatic way; what a wonderful legacy!

In thinking about some of the lessons/thoughts that resonated with me from the movie, it was interesting to think…

…that they are also ways we should be living as followers of the Lord….Being there for others, encouraging others, walking with others extending the Lord’s goodness and mercy in all we do.

…that the same principles apply with how the Lord is there for us.

Lesson 1:  See a need, step up and fill that need 

No matter how small a need we see, it is important to try to fill that need. Don’t wait for someone else to do something that you see needs to be done. You just might inspire someone else to act in the future too.

…Just like the Tuoheys came along side Michael in this movie, so the Lord is always at our side first waiting for us to accept and love Him; then always there guiding and leading us.

The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? The Lord is with me; He is my helper. I will look in triumph on my enemies.  –Psalm 118:6-7 (NIV)

Lesson 2:  What a difference it makes if someone believes in you; it gives you courage to believe in yourself.

Have you ever had an experience when you didn’t have enough faith in yourself to do something but someone else believed in you? Maybe you were participating in a sport or doing an art project. You didn’t think you could do it but someone encouraged you and suddenly you had enough faith in yourself to do it?

…Just like the Tuoheys had courage and believed in Michael which helped him succeed, so God gives us courage and believes in us to do great things.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”  –Joshua 1:9 (NIV)

 

 

 

Lesson 3:  It is important to confront the reasons why we do things…do them out of love.

Putting our faith into action is important but we need to know why we are doing the things we do as well.  Is it to make ourselves look good or is it because of God’s love?

…Just like when Leigh Ann’s friends made her think about what her real motives were for taking in Michael, so the Lord does everything for us out of His great love for us.

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  –Romans 5:8  (NIV)

Lesson 4: Find the people in your life who “have your back.”

Think about those people that you turn to when you have your greatest need…when you are down in the dumps, need some encouragement, or some extra prayer? They have your back! Aren’t they blessings from the Lord?

…Just like Michael’s basic instinct was to fight and “have his family’s back”, so the Lord always has our back, going to battle and protecting us from harm.

For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.  –Deuteronomy 20:4 (NIV)

The Blind Side brought this verse to life for me:

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,  I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”

 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’  –Matthew 25:35-40  (NIV)

I’m interested to hear from you…In reading these thoughts on The Blind Side, is there a particular movie that comes to mind that really speaks to you?

Please feel free to mention in the comment section below. I would love to hear about it and maybe you will inspire me to watch a movie too…as long as it isn’t too abstract!  🙂