In the past few days I have watched a couple of great movies that remind me of I desire the most; to see change. Life is not worth living if we do not live to impact those around us. There have been people throughout history who have not set out to be famous heroes who go down in history, but rather just ordinary people willing to give everything that they have to make a difference in just a few peoples lives. These people inspire me, make me see that there is more to this life than just getting up every day to make a living, despite what everyone tells me. You know, the funny thing is that people get excited and teary-eyed when they hear these stories, but when you tell them that is what you want to do with your life, where are all the cheerleaders then? Who supports or understands?
To be a vehicle of change is as though you are asking for a difficult life, one without much support and often times filled with the sense of failure. But it is worth it.
Nothing is more valuable than a person’s life.
Freedom Writers is about a young teacher who gives everything to change the lives of a group of inner city kids that no one believes in. She teaches these kids and exposes them to things that will impact their lives forever. I am so thankful for the daring men and women who thanklessly teach kids everyday and truly give it all they’ve got to change just one person’s world.
At first, I really thought that Amazing Grace was just going to be a corny Christian movie–low budget and all. But I was so wrong. I’m pretty sure that this is now my favorite movie and I wish I could have lived in Great Britain during this time so that I could have met/married William Wilberforce because he was an amazing man.
I had been told the story of the song “Amazing Grace” when I was a kid, but this shed a whole new light on the song and the abolition movement in England. I strongly recommend this movie to anyone.
Freedom Writers is probably one of the best movies I’ve ever seen. A lot of the feelings and themes hit close to home too, which makes it even more real to me. I hope that people change their perspective of what it means to teach and the reality that inner city kids endure. They need someone to believe in them and tell them that they do have worth and have something to contribute, that they aren’t the product of culture and circumstances.
The biggest thing I took away from Freedom Writers: some people are not ready or willing to be apart of the change you desire. Yet, that does not mean change shouldn’t happen. When change happens…some people are left behind. When change happens…some people will scream “this is not what I signed up for.” Are we willing to continue despite opposition? A lot of things depend on how we answer.