“Strange isn’t it? Each man’s life touches so many other lives. When he isn’t around,
it leaves an awful hole, doesn’t it?
—Clarence, the angel
For our Advent devotions—the next 25 days—I have chosen to partner them with the movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life.” In my opinion, the movie is a classic. The story helps us better understand God’s redemptive process, the struggle of the flesh, as well as reveals how easily we can become blinded to what actually makes a “rich” life.
The setting is Upstate New York during the first half of the 20th century. Bedford Falls—a fictional town—faces a drastic economic change during the Great Depression which is followed by the United State’s entry into WWII. Risk and persecution surround George; however, he keeps pressing on. Then, by no fault of his own, George’s business comes up $8000 short—landing him in a financial crisis that threatens the ruin of his business, home, and reputation. He struggles to hold onto his hope for a positive future. Have you experienced broken hope?
On Christmas Eve, we meet George Bailey who is now overcome with despair. He contemplates jumping off a bridge into the freezing cold water below. While George is thinking about suicide, a guardian angel named Clarence Odbody, jumps into the water and cries for help. George is unsettled and confused, but jumps in to save him. Even after meeting Clarence and hearing that God sent him, George still wishes he had never been born.
It is then Clarence shows George what life would have been like without him. Without George around, evil would have more power. Clarence wants to see George restored to wholeness, so he reveals the Truth to him about how his life matters in God’s creation.
You matter; we all matter, because we can make a difference in the lives of others. Sometimes, it is easy to feel small and insignificant or that our troubles will never end, but that is not the Truth. You are precious to God.
OT Reading: Psalm 119:13-14 NLT “You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.”
NT Reading: Ephesians 2:10 NLT “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”
Prayer: Father, thank you for the truth that we gain from your Word and our lesson today from Capra’s story about George Bailey. Evil always seeks to make human quitters, but you came to make us more than conquerors. In the best of times and in the worst of times, our lives have value and can make a difference for the advancement of righteousness. We are interconnected in ways we cannot fully comprehend. So, please help us grab ahold of biblical hope and live for Jesus. In Jesus’ name. Amen.