"The Kingdom of Heaven"

We use amazon.co.uk for all of our movie rental needs. I love this service so much that I never really feel the need to enter a movie theater or video rental store. Six movies a month of my choosing are mailed to my house, and I return them when I am ready. I've only been to a movie theater once since we've moved to England over a year and a half ago. The movie was Star Wars Episode III (being a big Star Wars nerd, I couldn’t resist seeing this one in a theater).

These days I just can't beat the comfort of my living room, the beauty of our 28" widescreen Sony TV, and the exquisite sound of our Harman-Kardon and Infinity surround sound system. Most theaters are noisy, dirty, and have "issues" with the sound systems. Plus people don't know how to act in a movie theater any more. They all seem to treat it like it is their own living room.

Enough of that, and on to the topic at hand. One of our rentals this week was "The Kingdom of Heaven". When I first saw this movie advertised, way back when, I remember thinking, "that must be the latest Book of Mormon movie". Actually it's a movie about the crusades and I quite enjoyed it. The rare thing about this movie is that it is a Hollywood production that makes you think about religion, morals, and spirituality without putting them down.

The main story line involves a blacksmith who goes to the Holy Land to try and find forgiveness / redemption for his sins. He sits on the hill where they had crucified Christ 1000 years before praying in earnest, yet he hears no answer. He makes a name for himself by strictly adhering to the high moral code of a knight; although he no longer believes in religion and feels God has abandoned him. He orchestrates the defence of a siege of Jerusalem and saves thousands of lives. As he is leaving the city, after negotiating surrender, his enemy comments to him, "How can you say God does not love you when you have achieved all this".

That story line is one that I personally relate to. Often I feel like I pray in earnest for things with no apparent answer or direction from God. I have nothing to go by except the morals and lessons that I have learned throughout my life as a Christian. When I look back at the path I have taken, I can clearly see how blessed I have been. Not a result of my own doing, but an obvious touch by the hand of God. I know I don't deserve it, but it seems that God is smiling upon my life.

We all long to hear from God; we want to know what God's plan is for our lives, we want to know why we are here and what it all means. I used to believe / expect God to make this all very clear for us, but I have come to know differently. God does not always provide a burning bush, a giant angel, or a miraculous sign. It seems he usually provides just enough for us that we have to respond in faith without fully knowing what is in store. As a believer, I do find it frustrating, and I do suffer from anger, discouragement, and disbelief. But when I really look at my life I can see the indelible fingerprint of God, and it gives me the faith and hope to carry on.

JE