I went to see The Apostle last year. It is a movie written, directed and starring Robert Duvall. He is a minister working in Texas who finds his wife cheating on him, Duvall then hits the lover with a ball bat and runs away. He assumes a new identity and starts a new ministry in Louisiana. He reaches new heights as he lets God lead him and he willingly follows. He actually helps people build a relationship with God and no task is too small. Instead of the nice home he had in Texas, he sleeps on a couch. He gives up his nice car and works several odd jobs to earn money to refurbish an old, decaying church, his church.
If I watched this movie 10 years ago I would have said the Duvall character, The Apostle, was a chicken running from his past and a slick shyster not worth a dime. He refused to face up to his actions and he hid behind his so called ability as a minister. He is a one dimensional and an excellent characterization of Southern ministers who shout and dance and ask parishioners to answer questions or repeat words/phrases like amen. In other words, he is loud, obnoxious and dishonest.
Today it occurred to me the more the Apostle failed on a personal level, the higher he rose as a minister. He reached the people of his new church and he was a superior minister even though he had far less to work with. While he was a good minister in Texas, he followed God’s path in Louisiana and was a true servant of the Lord. It showed in his actions and his ethics. He took any job to raise money for his ministry. When he was arrested, he gave all his valuables (and he had very few) to a member of his new church. He actions spoke as loudly as his words. As life in Louisiana continues, he becomes more serene. And like most people, he is a complicated man with good and bad traits. In other words, he is a multi dimensional. I am not sure I would have realized it 10 years ago.
The reason for this note is that the movie made me reflect on perspective and wisdom. Growing older can be challenging, but one positive attribute (and I can think of several) is that if you are open minded, you may acquire wisdom. Wisdom is invaluable. Wisdom, when combined with knowledge, is a powerful pair. You learn to see actions from several different viewpoints. You look deeper than the surface. You can ask more intelligent questions or offer more impressive comments. Most importantly, you learn the value of listening as opposed to talking. For example, so many times in Sunday School I am impressed with the thoughts expressed or point of view that never occurred to me. It is really invigorating. But then, wisdom usually is.
If I watched this movie 10 years ago I would have said the Duvall character, The Apostle, was a chicken running from his past and a slick shyster not worth a dime. He refused to face up to his actions and he hid behind his so called ability as a minister. He is a one dimensional and an excellent characterization of Southern ministers who shout and dance and ask parishioners to answer questions or repeat words/phrases like amen. In other words, he is loud, obnoxious and dishonest.
Today it occurred to me the more the Apostle failed on a personal level, the higher he rose as a minister. He reached the people of his new church and he was a superior minister even though he had far less to work with. While he was a good minister in Texas, he followed God’s path in Louisiana and was a true servant of the Lord. It showed in his actions and his ethics. He took any job to raise money for his ministry. When he was arrested, he gave all his valuables (and he had very few) to a member of his new church. He actions spoke as loudly as his words. As life in Louisiana continues, he becomes more serene. And like most people, he is a complicated man with good and bad traits. In other words, he is a multi dimensional. I am not sure I would have realized it 10 years ago.
The reason for this note is that the movie made me reflect on perspective and wisdom. Growing older can be challenging, but one positive attribute (and I can think of several) is that if you are open minded, you may acquire wisdom. Wisdom is invaluable. Wisdom, when combined with knowledge, is a powerful pair. You learn to see actions from several different viewpoints. You look deeper than the surface. You can ask more intelligent questions or offer more impressive comments. Most importantly, you learn the value of listening as opposed to talking. For example, so many times in Sunday School I am impressed with the thoughts expressed or point of view that never occurred to me. It is really invigorating. But then, wisdom usually is.
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