We watched “Blood Diamond” on Saturday for Nate’s “Movie Sermon”. Mark and I were hesitant. I had avoided the movie because it looked boring, political and DiCaprio gets on my nerves. I was pretty sure Nate was off base with picking this as his “I learned about God in this movie” movie.
I was wrong.
Nate pointed out the God elements that he saw in the movie. The ability for something beautiful to come out of something so horrific and ugly. And that’s definitely what I got from the whole thing, too. God is all about redemption.
In my own life, I’m seeing this same theme on a smaller scale. Mark and I are in pre-engagement counseling, and we paid $60 to find out I am afraid of conflict. Afraid. Pshh. Terrified.
Why? Because conflict is scary, horrific, ugly. When I’m in conflict I feel like one of those child soldiers in the movie. A little, scared, crying kid with an uzi. It is wrong and dangerous.
Our counselor pointed out that conflict isn’t bad. Conflict is natural. Healthy, even. And that on the other side of every conflict waits intimacy. Journeying through conflict in a healthy and assertive manner was one of the ways we would reach the kind of intimacy we longed for. Trust would be developed. Our committment would be stronger. Many good things would be born out of conflict… if I would try.
For me, watching “Blood Diamond” is more than just being aware of social justice on a global scale. I am reminded that that same beauty can be found in the conflict and forgiveness of the everyday.
In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;
and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:26-28
