"The War", a 1994 movie staring Kevin Costner and Elijah Wood says so much about life. I remember seeing it on TV growing up and a few years ago I found it in the 5 dollar bin at Wal-Mart. It was later borrowed without being returned (hopefully somebody enjoyed it). I watched it today on Encore - and man does it hit home. But in a way unfamiliar to me.
Kevin Costner is a Vietnam vet, father to a young Elijah Wood, and teaches his son about what's worth fighting for and when to hold your tongue and be slow to anger. Aside from the stellar message the entire movie promotes, what I'm drawn to most, is the relationship between Costner and his son. They want to be around each other - he takes his son with him on his daily whereabouts to show him how life is done; he has meaningful conversation with his son. Most of all, he's honest with his son - about himself and about life.
I'll be honest in saying I'm very jealous of the relationship that movie portrays. Never had it. Not from my Dad or my stepfather. And I'm not the only one. So many of us have lost our fathers - some emotionally, others physically. It's no wonder we're so lost at times. God designed the role of a father to be one who teaches, encourages, disciplines, corrects - and most of all loves. As men hoping to move past mere boys who can shave, we need to be affirmed. And when we're not - we look for a counterfeit affirmation in all kinds of different sin. Pride, lust, anger.
God is our Spiritual Father - and that's something I'm still desperately trying to learn and experience. Sometimes it's so hard to rely on the unseen though. Sometimes we just want to be hugged by our dad and be told we're doing our best, and that he loves us no matter where we fail. Granted, those are the very things God is whispering to our hearts.
And this is why it's so very important for us to learn how to accept God as our Father. Without someone else showing us the way, we'll be tempted to follow suit and make the same mistakes in life that our real fathers have. God is calling us out of that, and to a new life. In hopes that someday, our children will know how desperately they're loved and cherished.
"I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."
~2Corinthians6:18
"What's a dad for, Dad? Tell me why I'm here, Dad. Whisper in my ear that I'm growing up to be a better man, Dad. Listen when you talk, Dad. Follow where you walk, Dad."
~Yellowcard - Life of a Salesman
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