3 Takeaways from the Movie War Room that Might just Change your Life

I have an aversion to cheesy Christian Movies & I have it for a couple of reasons. First off, I’m a creative. I was a theater major in college and my sister was film and editing.  You put us together & we can spot cheese a mile away.  Our parents favorite genre of film? Hallmark.

 

The irony is not lost on us.

 

Second, I’m one of the creative/communications directors at our church. So excellence in the arts is something I take pretty seriously.

 

Third, my husband and I were youth pastors for 13 years. Cheesy Christian films we’re passed along in droves. Most of the time, we spared our teens, but every once in a while, on a long bus ride home after summer camp, we’d bust one out.

 

 

Just. Because. We. Could.

 

 

And the kids? They totally love/hated us for it. BUT they did learn some deep and spiritual lessons from them. Such as, did you know that when you die the first thing you see are strobe lights? All kinds of strobe lights. They’re the universal symbol of your spirit leaving your body.

 

 

 

If you’re a Christian, the strobe lights are white and the Hallelujah chorus plays in the background, HOWEVER, if your eternal destiny does not include heaven, the “highway to hell” so to speak, resembles a poorly done Rave.

 

 

I jest. BUT, you get my point. My standards for good film are pretty high. So then why am I unapologetic-ally recommending War Room, a Christian movie to you? Again with a couple of reasons, first off, as Christian based films go, this one was done really well. The acting is improving you guys. And the plot line wasn’t all neat and perfect in a matter of 2 hrs and 5 min. 😉

 

But beyond that, this movie will appeal to your Spirit. There’s something about not just entertainment, but Spiritual truth being played out on the Big Screen that will strengthen you, open your heart & give you perspective.

 

IF you’ll keep an open mind and not turn your nose up because it isn’t “Oscar worthy” I truly believe this movie has the power to touch your heart.

 

Here’s what I was reminded of while watching War Room:

 

1. Our generation is hungry for mentors

Throughout the course of the movie two of the main characters develop a mentoring relationship despite some initial resistance.

 

I am passionate about mentoring; call it a side effect of 13 years of youth ministry. But there is something so incredibly valuable and necessary about the older teaching the younger AND vice versa, because if you do mentor, you will inevitably catch so many lessons from your young ones.

 

 

However, a few things can keep us from pursuing a mentoring relationship. The biggest culprit?… intimidation…to both parties involved. Humbling yourself and asking another to be part of your journey & speak into your life is hard stuff. It takes a willingness to lay down our pride that few are willing to attempt. BUT, here’s what I know beyond a shadow of a doubt: we all crave someone who will see us, know us, and speak into our life. End of Story. If you offer to mentor, it’ll probably be received and if you ask to be mentored it would probably be welcomed with open arms.

 

 

To add to that and help further erase the fear, here’s a couple of truths to tuck in your pocket:

 

To be a successful mentor, you don’t have to know it all or have it all together, just invest what you know. Be honest and be authentic.

 

It doesn’t have to be a big scary commitment. You can mentor for a season. It could be weekly or monthly, it could be a walk around your neighborhood or a Target date with a Starbucks run after.

 

Just because our lives are full, it doesn’t mean our need for each other goes away. Sometimes busyness just amplifies our desire for true genuine connection.

 

To date, some of my greatest memories were built in a small upstairs room of our church; sitting on a blanket with a handful of my youth girls, eating grapes and talking the deep stuff of life.

 

It’s precious and beautiful and you’ll become a better version of yourself, I promise.

 

2. Your prayers are powerful and effective

James 5:16 says to, “pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed. The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with.” (MSG)

 

Raise your hand if you want your home life to be defined by words like “togetherness”, “wholeness” and “healing.” Well friend, it’s possible. Easy? No. Without commitment? Absolutely not. Perfect? Not on your life. BUT, totally and completely possible? Yeah gurl.

 

If you’re a Christian and you’ve dedicated your life to Jesus, that means you’re in Christ. You’re life is right with God because Jesus made it right through the cross. And if you take that verse in James at face value, then your prayers are a powerful and dynamic.

 

Don’t ever buy the lie that you’re prayers aren’t making a difference in your family. You are not small or insignificant and neither are your prayers.  YOU, dear one, are a force to be reckoned with in the Spirit. Your prayers are vital to your family, your spouse, and your children.

 

Your prayers carry weight in the heavenlies and you have so much more authority and ability to set the spiritual tone of your home than you realize. If you’re believing God for something, maybe a breakthrough in your family, in your relationships, in your marriage…forge the way in prayer first.

 

 

3. Your Marriage has an enemy and it’s not your spouse.

Here’s the deal you guys: The Devil hates marriage. The depth & intimacy it’s designed to have is the closest union we have here on earth to our relationship with Jesus. That’s why we’re called the bride of Christ. And because it was designed to mirror our relationship with the Lord, the enemy hates it and wants it destroyed.

 

For that reason, we’ve got to get our fight back when it comes to our marriages; but instead of fighting within them and against them, let’s fight FOR them. What if we committed to praying for our Spouse every day; over their mind, their spirit, and their bodies? What if instead of throwing some weak wishes out there to the Lord, we really believed that our prayers were powerful and effective…that they could move mountains and in conjunction with the Holy Spirit shape our spouse’s destiny? What if we got so passionate about truly walking in love and representing Jesus well to the one person on earth we’ve committed to be the closest too?

 

And what if we committed to speaking words that would build up, and draw out the best in the ones we’ve committed to for better or worse?

 

I think we just might see some significant changes….in both parties involved. 😉

 

Lots of food for thought this week my lovelies.  Have you seen the movie War Room?  I’d love to hear your thoughts…

 

Until next time,

Meg