About a month ago I sat down to watch a movie with my parents. My mom, after her busy day of work and running errands, decided that we should end our Friday by grabbing a good flick. I walked into the local redbox kiosk anxious to see what it was that we could have our options for the night. Mom stayed with the car. Scanning through the choices I immediately canceled out horror and thriller genres. She doesn't really do well with those kinds of movies. Unless of course, you're willing to stay up with her for most of the night.
My finger kept hitting the forward button until I got to the weirdest cover. There were animals all scattered on the cover, and an actor that looked much like Matt Damon. I squinted closer only to learn that it was indeed Matt Damon in his newest film, "We Bought A Zoo." I remembered my mom talking about how badly she'd wanted to see it. She has a serious crush on Matt Damon, but then again, I guess most women would ask the question, "Who doesn't?" I wasn't really in the mood for Matt's acting style and frankly I was convinced that the movie would just be a waste of time. I resisted. If she wanted to watch it she could always come back with my dad and pick it up next time.
God heard me and my selfish decision right then.
The only other films I considered worthy of watching were either too much for my parents, or they were out of stock. Out of stock at both of the machines in our local grocery store. For some reason God wanted me to watch this movie. I rolled my eyes, paid a dollar and twenty- eight cents, and carried the DVD out to our car.
Instantly, and as expected, she was pleased. I on the other hand was not all that enthused. By the end of it though, my perspective was entirely shifted toward something new and unexpected.
There's a part near the end of the film that I've seen quoted, and in fact have used myself, numerous times. Matt Damon's character, Benjamin Mee is granted the chance to have an intimate conversation with his son in which he says,
"Sometimes you've just got to have twenty seconds of insane courage."
To those of you still reading this it probably just sounds like one more time society quotes something where they don't really consider the meaning. Fair assessment. If you'll read a little further though, you'll begin to see what it is that I'm thinking. What I was thinking after a movie I expected nothing from.
Twenty seconds of insane courage.
Think of the time it takes you to update a Facebook status, to text, to tweet. Think about the little bit of seconds it takes you to breathe in, to breathe out, and to trust that those moments are real. Think about all that we can do in twenty seconds. Even more, think about the things that we fail to do in twenty seconds.
What about taking twenty seconds of insane Faith?
It's only now, about a month after watching, that I'm beginning to understand the implications of such a statement. Maybe for Mee and his son it dealt with the idea of chasing dreams, of grieving, and of getting the girl, but for me it's hit even further. That line doesn't only apply to the ways of my external life, but it adheres to the internal and spiritual the same. What if we all took just twenty seconds to continue resonating in Jesus? What if the next twenty seconds were chances to show the steps of how He's working in our lives. What if it's twenty seconds to defend, to thank, or to share what it is that a relationship looks like?
Like I said, anyone who knows me knows that I take instances like this and let them stick. Anyone who knows me knows that I thrive on ruminations and considerations.
Twenty seconds of insane courage.
A profound quote with a bit of a different interpretation.
For anyone who hasn't yet seen the film, I certainly suggest it.
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