Faith in Film 2, The Blind Side

"The Blind Side" was probably the most uplifting film of 2009. It's also one of the most inspiring examples of Christian charity.

1 Corinthians Chapter 13 is known as the love chapter. But in the King James Version, the word that is used is charity. 1 Corithians 13:13 says, "These three remain, faith, hope, and charity; but the greatest of these is charity." Charity has been co-opted in our modern society as a bad word, but in reality it's a way we can express the love of Jesus Christ to others.

Charity has traditionally been a part of Christianity. When I was watching "Boardwalk Empire," a series set in the 1920s, I was struck by the repeated use of the phrase Christian charity. This isn't a concept that is held in high esteem in our modern society, but it was a part of one of the most famous sermons, "A Model of Christian Charity," offered by Puritan leader John Winthrope in 1630. He cited Matthew 5:14-16 in his message, the passage of the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus talks about Christians being the light of the world, and our need to let our light shine before men that they may praise God because of the works of our hands.

The Tuohy family models that spirit in the way they cared for Michael Oher. They didn't do it for selfish gain, rather they saw a boy that needed clothes and clothed him. They saw a boy that was hungry and fed him. They saw a boy that needed love, shelter, and a family, and they claimed him as one of their own. That is what Jesus is talking about in Matthew 25 when he says, "Whatever you did for the least of these, you did for me."

The convicting part of "The Blind Side" is the fact that the problem persists. In the closing narration, Leigh Anne Tuohy relates the story of a talented young man that did receive charity and fell victim to a life of crime. That, sadly, is too often the story of many people in our inner cities.

The movie "Watchmen" features a scene that always fills me with profound sadness. The heroes of the film are talking about the brokenness in the world and how they can fix it. One says, "It doesn't take a genius to see that the world has problems." Another quickly responds, "No, but it takes a room full of morons to think they're small enough for you to handle." I think that is too often our response. The problems of the world are so vast and so big that we can't possibly make a dent, so why bother.

We can't solve the problems of this world on our own, but we know the one that can. It is not up to us to solve the world's problems, it is up to us to control our own actions. When we model Christ's love in our interactions with those in need, we are contributing to the solution. That is how we can make a difference in this world.