Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Have you ever faced an impossible situation? Aron Ralston has. The new movie, "127 Hours," chronicles his real life struggle to survive after being trapped, alone in a canyon in Utah.

As I watched, I couldn't help but wonder what I would do in that situation. Aron was a guy who thought he was self-sufficient. He thought all he needed was himself, that he could survive anything on his own, so he didn't bother to tell anyone where he was going.

Then a boulder was literally placed in his path. The rock dislodged from its perch and pinned Aron's right arm to the side of crevice. There he sat, one free hand and a day pack all he had to think of a way to get out of a jam.

Two thoughts occurred to me while watching the movie — first, and I can't stress this enough, this is why I've never been an "outdoors" type. Listening to stories of people lost in the wilderness, practically freezing to death, and having to fight their way back to civilization make compelling films, but I certainly wouldn't want to experience it first hand. Second, if it had been me that got stuck — and let me stress I don't see how that could possibly happen given my stance on nature — I would probably have died in that place.

Those familiar with the real life account know that Aron, after days trapped in that place, out of water and food and suffering delirium, cut his own arm off to escape. First, he had to snap the bones because the dull pocket knife he had with him was barely strong enough to cut flesh, muscle, and tendon fibers.

Aron's story is a success story, though. He fought against unimaginable odds to survive, and continues to live with his family and enjoy nature today.

We might not get our arms pinned to canyons in the middle of Utah, but everyone faces obstacles in their life. The way we respond in those times defines our character. What stressed Aron most in the film wasn't his situation, it was being all alone. But as Christians, we know we're never alone, and that is a comforting thought to me.

The film never talks about God — though after he frees himself Aron pauses for a moment and says thank you. I don't know who he was talking to or if Aron Ralston even believes in God, but I know God was there. God gave him the strength, courage, and ingenuity to survive that experience. And I know whenever that boulder gets put in my path, God will be there for me too.