I turned 69 last week. I was 15, in Southwest GA, in 1969 when the events portrayed in this movie were going on. I saw it around the fringes. But the longing that drove it was present in me, too. It would be a long journey of 23 years before the longing in me was satisfied.
I took a 60 yo friend who struggled with alcohol and homelessness for a number of years to the movie “Jesus Revolution” yesterday. She had said how much she wanted to see it. She now has gotten her life back on track thanks to the work of Christ in her life. As we headed home from the theatre she said quietly, with tears in her eyes, “I was that mother.(The portrayal of Greg Laurie’s mother.) I see now why my son is so angry and how I was not there for him..”Quite the revelation from a movie through a supporting cast actor. We are all supporting cast members in His story. And He is always at work redeeming the story line of every one who steps on the stage with Him.
The longing exists, I believe, in every heart. Jesus was right.
Matthew 9:35-38
35 And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”