I just finished watching the movie Freedom Writers. Its a story of a woman who teaches at a school overrun with sub-par students mixed up in gangs, drugs, and other poor inner-city struggles. Against great odds, she believes there is hope for these students, and gives herself endlessly, working extra jobs to pay for books and trips, even to the detriment of her own marriage. Its a story, ultimately, of redemption.
I fear that often times it is far too easy to settle down into our lives as Christians. Our initial decision to follow Jesus is radical. It takes us somewhere new. Its fresh. There are new people to meet and new things to learn. But over time it becomes...normal. Stale. Somehow, it becomes possible for me to begin to take grace for granted. A gospel that is supposed to be life-shattering is tamed. Gratitude recedes into a pitiful state of routine.
What is inspiring about the story in Freedom Writers is that its about normal people; a normal teacher and some normal students. Its refreshing to see someone devote themself to a dream of something better, to hope for something hopeless - and to see that this is not in vain.
It's never easy. It wrecked her life.
As followers of the risen Jesus, may we live "wrecked lives" of ridiculous hope.
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