Something Bigger Calls to Each of Us

Digital Marketer Nidhi Mishra wrote of the theme of redemption in movies that, “The pursuit of redemption is a timeless and compelling theme in literature and film, capturing the essence of human resilience, transformation, and the power of hope” (Mishra, 2023).

I have often thought that there is a kingdom reason for why we love movies like the “Rocky” stories and other tales of the underdog overcoming long odds to achieve victory. I have often thought that these stories, while not truly reflective of what Christ has done for us in redeeming us back to the Father, ignite an inner desire in all of us that there can be a renewed life, that we can overcome our human frailties and unfortunate circumstances to reach our potential.

One quote I found reinforces this thought of a kingdom reason for the appeal of these types of stories. Darrin Patrick writes the following:

“The gospel is the most beautiful story in the history of the world. In fact, the reason that other stories are beautiful—the reason we love movies novels, and biographies that are saturated with redemption themes—is that they are an echo of the story. All good stories follow the same basic plotline of the gospel: the struggle between good and evil before an eventual triumph of good over evil. Tension, then harmony. Redemption. Sacrifice. Betrayal. Love. Suffering. Victory. Screenwriters have co-opted the gospel story to literally make billions of dollars. Pause for a moment and think about how many story lines from how many movies rip off the gospel story. There is a reason for this. The story of redemption captures the human heart, inviting and challenging us to be a part of something bigger than ourselves” (Patrick, 2010).

Dr. Marge Warrell wrote about research that provided evidence where people who have connected to a purpose that is bigger than themselves are much happier and more contented than people who haven’t. Those who relate to a greater purpose are more resilient in the face of adversity. They are also far more inspiring leaders (Warrell, 2018).

We need leaders like this, because it is human nature to live and act below our nature. Yet it was a part of God’s original plan to imprint something bigger in our hearts: the Bible says that He has put eternity in our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11). We yearn for more since we were designed for more. And there is so much more.

God longs for us to walk with Him today and receive the blessings of redemption, deliverance and deeper relationships with like-minded “bigger thinkers” who know God and know where they are going. Jesus said that, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life” (Mark 10:29-30). God allows the tribulations to remind us that this world is not our home, but there is so much more than we can attain even here.

So kick back and enjoy a compelling redemption-themed film tonight. And be reminded that “something bigger than ourselves” is calling to us. It’s time to answer that call!

Joseph J. Bucci has served as a Pastor, Author, HR Director, Director of Training, Professor and Consultant. His second book, Redemption Inc. was published in 2022. Contact Dr. Bucci at joe@josephjbucci.

Sources:

• Patrick, D. (2010). Church planter : the man, the message, the mission. Wheaton, IL: Crossway. Digital copy retrieved from the WayBack Machine 
• Mishra, N. (2023, May 19). The quest for redemption: exploring the shared themes of The Odyssey and The Shawshank Redemption. Retrieved from LinkedIn.
• Warrell, M. (2018, December 8). Pursue a cause greater than yourself: The heart of true leadership. Forbes: Leadership [Web Blog]. Retrieved from Forbes.