Facing the Giants

Yesterday, I was left alone at a friend's house and I decided to watch this movie called “Facing the Giants”. The movie is about a high school football team that has grown accustomed to losing. Parents blame head coach Grant Taylor. Taylor blames his apathetic players. And the players blame former star players who transferred to other teams to escape the vicious cycle in hopes of being noticed by college scouts. With Taylor's job on the line, and his personal life in chaos (he's growing tired of not being able to provide a nice car and home for his wife, and he's just discovered that he's the reason his wife can't get pregnant), he turns to God in a deep and moving way.

He begins to seek God late at night and early in the morning. In one such scene, his wife Brooke rolls over in bed at 3:11 am and realizes he's not there. She spots him in another room meditating-reading the Bible and praying. Without saying a word to him, and without his knowledge, she drops to her knees in their bedroom and begins to pray. God meets with Grant and begins to do a work in him, which prompts Taylor to call a team meeting the folwing day.

"Winning football games is too small a thing to live for," he tells them. "We're not here to just to get glory, make money, and die. So I'm here to present you a new team philosophy. We need to give God our best in every area and if we win, we praise him. And if we lose, we praise him."
Grant isn't just referring to actions on the field. He lovingly challenges his players to give God their best in their school work, in the way they spend their free time, and in the way they submit to parental authority. While this is happening, a man in the community with a heart for prayer continues to pray for the students just as he's been doing for many years. A revival breaks out on campus and on the football field. Coach Taylor pushes his guys harder than they've ever worked before, and they start to win.

In case you haven't seen the movie, I won't spoil the ending. The acting isn't always top notch and the ending is predictable. But neither detracts from the movie's power which may just move you to tears whether you like football or not because the movie isn't really about football. It's about what can happen when people seek to honor God with every thought, word, and deed.

One thing that encourages me, where Mr. Bridges (a holy man whose been walking around in front of student’s lockers, praying for students) storms in Coach Taylor’s office and quotes verses from the bible. Here’s that scene….

Coach Taylor : (Surprised) Mr. Bridges!

Mr. Bridges : Revelation Chapter 3 says: We serve a God that opens doors that no one can shut, and he shuts doors that no one can open.
He says: Behold, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and not denied my name.
Coach Taylor, the Lord is not through with you yet. You still have an open door here, and until the Lord moves you, you’re to bloom right where you’re planted…
I just felt led to come and tell you that today. (leaves the office)

Coach Taylor : (Stands up and runs after Bridges) Mr. Bridges! Do you
believe God told you to come tell me that?

Mr. Bridges : I do.

Coach Taylor : I admit to you I have been struggling. But I’ve also been
praying. I just don’t see him at work here.

Mr. Bridges : Grant. I heard a story about two farmers who desperately
needed rain. And both of them prayed for rain, but only one of them went out and prepared his field to receive it. Which do you think trusted God to send the rain?
---

At this scene, I was crying. I can remember how God faithfully provided my needs and He never lacks anything. I ponder that God really showed His glory and mighty deeds even i have many flaws in my life. I cant stop crying when Grant said His prayer one morning,

"I love you Oh LORD my Strength, The LORD is My ROCK and my FORTRESS;
My Deliverer, My God, in whom I Trust, My Shield, My Stronghold and My
Salvation, I will call upon the LORD who is worthy to be praised. So shall I be
safe from my enemies...

Lord Jesus, would you help me? I need you... Lord I feel there are giants,
fear and failure within me just string down waitng to crushed me. ...and I
dont dont know how to beat them Lord. And Im tired of being afraid. Lord
if you want to do something, show me. But if you dont want me to have a child,
so be it. But You're my God. You're on the throne. ..."

He opened doors and changed me from…

A frustrated and wishy-washy "Christian" life who literally wasted days and nights away from worldy follies- to a now well respected, wholesome, and a man of substance.

A nerd jerk, full of pretensions, inferiorities and insecurities. Having a worldy desire and fooling other people-to a now very good looking, very decent, very charming, eligible bachelor!!! (Wink! Wink!)

A great failure, despised by a lot of people whom he let down, who gave their time, trust and talent on his empty promises.The list could go on and on from here of the great things that God has done for me...

All through out the film. As I listen more carefully to the lines… I cried more than 10 times and reflect on the promises of God. And these are not just tears falling off my checks in dignified splendor. I was wailing like a kid whenever a scene triggered things from the past struggles I have come through.

Well, just sharing, I hope you could see the film and spread the word. For all those hurting and broken and helpless who would come across this blog. I would like to encourage you that God can turn things around for you…the same way he did for me and maybe even more. All it really takes is a small amount of faith, and a lot of humility… and you may well be off to face your giants as well!