Black Panther: Life Applications
Fundraising
PRAISE REPORT– Funding is now at $16,297 leaving a remaining amount of $1770. This means fundraising is now approximately 9 donations of $200 or 18 donations of $100 or 35 donations of $50 away from being complete. Thank you so much again for supporting through giving, prayer and sharing amongst your networks! So SO close!!!!
Lesson
The question was, “Are you choosing freedom or bondage? (Galatians 4:9 & 28)” This lesson came through the latest Marvel film Black Panther!
SPOILER ALERT→ Details about Black Panther movie are throughout this article. If you want to see first u may want to wait on reading this article.
Rewind
Month 6 debrief the entire Squad spent several days in Cape Town, South Africa. While there we shared about our month in ministry, learned through scripture and had a little fun!! We went to Table Mountain, Hillsong Church South Africa and I was able to see Black Panther w/ TL (fellow squad mate). This was one movie my sister and I had talked about occasionally since seeing the promotional videos. We even had tentative plans to dress up for attendance in celebration!
The movie was fun from start to finish and I can’t wait for sequels to come! I loved the costumes, cast, graphics, and music. But there are always lessons embedded in every experience that God leads us to as long as we are open. No surprise, I walked out of the theatre reflecting on some quotes and the biggest conflict presented. The story’s protagonist, T’Challa, was made Black Panther and King of Wakanda. His 3 defining traits was the desire to honor the legacy set before him, lead in strength, and his merciful heart. The antagonist, Erik Killmonger (N’Jadaka), was in line to contend for the throne but no one even knew of his existence. His defining traits: reclaiming access to Wakanda, dealing vengeance on those who denied him, and empowering the powerless.
Malaysia
In Malaysia my focus was to read through the book of Galatians were Paul is talking to the church of Galatia regarding their life in Christ. They were a church that knew the truth of who God is and got enticed by ideologies of their time. As I read Paul’s charge to them I couldn’t help but think of the Black Panther and the conflict present through King T’Challa and Erik Killmonger. King T’Challa represented an old style of leadership and his merciful heart was seen by some as a weakness. Erik Killmonger was fueled by anger, rage and hatred. From the outside Killmonger seemed more capable so the kingdom fell into the hands of his leadership for a time. It called into question the true heart of the nation within each individual. In the end King T’Challa took back the throne but during the time of Killmonger’s rule the people got to see the the effect of the new leadership. The effect was fear, death, and destruction.
In all things our choices boil down to living as a children of promise or children of enslavement(Gal. 4:9 and 28). This enslavement is actually one of the mind and leads to hopelessness. This was portrayed through Kilmonger’s character because he couldn’t empower anyone with something he did not have himself. I remember the feeling of constantly striving in work, church, and home. This left me nothing but empty, frustrated, and disappointed. But God continued to pursue me because he always wants more for his children. The thing is we cannot find this promise or freedom on our own (Galatians 5:1). As long as we choose freedom in God, there is always more. My decision becomes clear, there is nothing else to choose. I never thought that I would be able to do something like this World Race journey but giving God my yes and surrender led me here. It’s only getting better!
The movie ended with King T’Challa that what Wakanda has is a gift that should be shared in impactful ways. He speaks with the Kingdom’s leadership to brainstorm and then implement ways to execute this mission. But this challenge isn’t just for Wakanda, its one that Paul reminds the church of Galatia is for all God’s people.
“For you were called to freedom brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” (Gal. 5:13)
