I’m not sure if you have had the opportunity to see the movie Life is Beautiful. If you have, you will understand what I’m about to say, and if you haven’t seen it, I would really recommend that you do. It is a life-changing movie that has to do with concentration camps in Nazi Germany. I’ll explain more about it in a minute.
We’ve been here in the jungles of Nepal for a couple weeks now. When we first got here, it was difficult to be thankful because of our busted expectations. We all learned a lot from that and grew out of our self-pitying stump. My mood affects the people around me so much more than I know. We were feeding off of each others’ disappointment, and it really brought the whole team down. In the process, we learned about attitude and how much it affects the people around us.
In the movie Life is Beautiful, the main character has such a positive outlook on life. He lives life as if it were a game or an adventure. He is always looking for the good in everyone and the positive in every situation. After he wins the girl of his dreams, gets the job he has always wanted, and has a child, he is ripped from everything that he knows and loves. Put in this situation, one’s outlook on life would be shaken, and as an outsider looking in, you would think that the person would be crazy for staying positive when everything that he has ever known is changed.
The main character in this movie is taken, with his young son, to the concentration camp. There, he has to endure hard labor, little food, cramped living spaces, and the threat of losing his life daily. Through the midst of this, he keeps a positive attitude, especially around his son. He tells his son that it is all a game. He puts his son’s feelings ahead of his own. He puts his son’s life ahead of his own.
The example that this man sets in the movie should be a model for all of us, especially as Christians, to follow. I know we’ve heard it before, and I’m sure we will hear it again, but we shouldn’t allow situations to dictate our attitude. Our response should constantly be one out of love. In every situation, we should be declaring, “Thank you Jesus!” because he is good.
I was at J1ten a few months back and Pastor Shawn said that we need to direct our mind’s attention and heart’s affection towards Jesus. If I am even lacking in positivity just a little bit, I need to remind myself that this life is not about me, it’s about Him. I need to shine my light for Him and glorify Him in everything that I do. Especially if it’s hard. Especially if I don’t want to. That is when he is most glorified. When everything in life is looking like a dead end, I need to remember that life is beautiful.
