Days before an annual Academy Awards party at a friend’s house, I went to see Lion with a dear friend to catch up on movies I hadn’t seen. All I heard about Lion was that it was an adoption story. Little did I know by the time I left the theater, my heart would be broken. I won’t tell you much in case you haven’t seen it, but it’s the true story of a little boy in India who gets lost. The film is his journey alone through the streets of India, and his later good fortune of adoption after harrowing circumstances. Although many scenes broke my heart, it was the part where he meets street kids in a railway station that cracked my heart into pieces.
I had seen a documentary years ago called Children Underground, a heart wrenching Academy Award nominated documentary by Edet Belzberg that follows street children living in a train station in Bucharest, Romania. To this day I’m haunted by this film and crushed by the reality that people walk over, pass by, or prostitute such young children living in distressing circumstance alone on the streets. For years I have fantasized about starting a ministry that would rescue these children, providing them a safe home and mental health services to help heal the multiple traumas they’ve already faced in their short lives. Lion reminded me where our hearts break might be where a ministry begins. Or what author Frederick Buechner says, The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.
I’m not sure how my heart ache will unfold to help street children. I’m researching related ministries and organizations to support. However, I find myself in a conundrum; giving money never seems enough, yet moving to India to work full-time to minister to these children seems an impossible feat. Adopting a street child seems even more out of my league. I know such real life angels have such heroic callings, as Sue and John Brierley represented in Lion who adopted Saroo. May God bless them fifteen fold. They’re doing God’s work for which I feel such deep gratitude.
Lion once again cracked open my heart for street children, making me contemplate more deeply what it means to serve, what Jesus meant by “inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me”. Knowing how much Jesus loved the “little children”, I know his heart would surely be broken for the ‘children underground’, he’d surely heal them and bring them back to life.
The film has me contemplating scripture on the spiritual gifts we’re given, and what it means exactly when our hearts are cracked open wide. Scripture relating to spiritual gifts include Romans 12:6-8, Corinthians 12:4-11 and Corinthians 12:28. They name such gifts as: prophecy,encouraging, teaching, giving, leadership, mercy, wisdom, faith, healing, word of knowledge, miraculous powers, discerning spirits, speaking in tongues and interpretation of tongues, government and the gift for languages. St. Paul says in Ephesians some are gifted as, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, shepherds and teachers. Romans 12:7-8 calls for a zest behind our giving: if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
He says, I pray you not only seek and discover your gifts but that you utilize them to the strengthening of the Body of Christ, for which you are a part.
I ponder my gifts and what they mean as a part of a larger body of Christ contributing to wholeness in our world. I honor the God-given gifts we all have, for we are working together for good as part of one body. It’s a beautiful image of the beloved community, each of us contributing to the healing of the world.
But I still ask, Am I using my gifts well? In fact, have I gotten clear on what my gifts are? Can I in anyway contribute to helping these street children?
These questions are my prayers this week.
I recognize the gift of actors, producers, directors, storytellers and the hardworking film crews who help bring to life meaningful stories, and whose talents break our hearts wide open. The captivating performances by Nicole Kidman,Dev Patel (who I just saw at a panel at the Santa Barbara film festival), Sunny Pawar (oh my gosh, he stole my heart playing Saroo), and the entire cast, transported me into the life of poor people in a remote village far away, children living underground in the railways, and to a selfless couple and the challenges and triumphs of adopting a child in need. Such meaningful films highlighting such challenges as oppression, suffering,war and hope against all odds, sensitizes us to the needs of a broken world, calling us to become a part of the larger whole of healers.
What are your spiritual gifts? Will you join me this week in thinking about your spiritual gifts, and create a prayer on how you can use your gifts in the world?
Here’s an assessment tool that may be helpful in determining your spiritual gifts!
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Loved Lion – saw it twice (great score, as well. ) My 21 year old said, leaving the theater – no, we don’t need to go back to NordstromRack and get those clothes – I don’t need a thing! (: Also love Beuchner – may all hearts be broken for this is God’s heart. Thanks, holyvacationqueen! glad to be neighbors this am in sunny but chilly CA.
Love your 21 year old’s comment! So glad you stopped by and loved Lion…yes the soundtrack was also amazing!
Such a contemplative prayer for you this week. My prayer is God will guide you and show you how you are to use your spiritual gifts at this time for these children. And know you are enough today, at this moment, as you pursue godliness in your daily moments. I haven’t seen Lion, but it is now on written in my daytimer to make time for my heart to be broken open.
Thanks for your wise words Lynn! I hope you like the film..
I have not had the opportunity to see Lion yet, it is on my movie list though. I too need to play catch up with all the movies I haven’t seen, but need to. Movies are my way to recharge. I appreciate your quote by Frederick Buechner what book is this from? I don’t know him as an author, but I am thinking I need to change that. Thank you for sharing your prayer this week and for encouraging us to use our gift from God and find our place within the body. Your neighbor today at #RaRALinkup
Also, I would love if you would consider linking up to my NEW Thursday Party #TuneInThursday it stays open until Sunday. You can find it here: http://debbiekitterman.com/blog/
(Please feel free to delete the link if you feel it is inappropriate to post here).
And you live in SB? I’m in SLO! Ever get up here?
Hi Sue..we’re actually in San Diego..love SLO! Let me know if you come down this way!
Thanks for a compelling glimpse into this film. May God show you exactly how He wants to use you in meeting this need. Blessings!
thank so much Ginger!
Well, now I’m near tears Kathy! Your powerful descriptions of this movie and these lost and broken children just tear my heart into pieces too. I can literally FEEL your emotion behind your words as you so beautifully depicted the profound sadness and need to help in some way.
Oh Kathy, I will be praying that God uses us all and our gifts to reach those precious vulnerable hurting kids. There is so much we don’t know about this world and the dark places people live. I can’t even imagine the things we don’t know- the things we don’t see. I’ve been wanting to watch this movie for so long. Now I must.
Do you think my kids could see it? I want them too, but I’m not sure if it’s appropriate for an 11 and 13 year old? I’d love your input, friend.
Thank you for always revealing your beautiful heart in your words. They always move me.
thank you so much Christine for being such an encouragement always! As far as your kids going to see Lion..
I think it depends on their emotional literacy — it’s pretty raw in terms of the fear of any child afraid of
getting lost in a marketplace..there’s a few scenes where kids are taken by traffickers in the subway that shook me
to the core..and another scene in a bedroom (nothing graphic happens) but creepy feeling..not sure if kids would understand
the trafficking kids side of it so it might go over their heads..hope this helps you decide! Either way, I think you will really like the film..an amazing true story surely to tug at your heartstrings..
The power of film in igniting the human community to take action against injustice is HUGE. Never forget this my dear Kathy….as you continue traveling along your most challenging current filmmaking journey. I know there is always a struggle when you must delve deep into the creative and intellectual process of filmmaking because there is a necessary isolation that is part of this. I know the film Lion is generating an outpouring of worldwide support for the street children of India. God bless our storytellers and filmmakers who work for social justice.
so grateful for this encouragement Theresa! Your words hold such value to me at this time..it means so much to
when people like you truly understand the challenge of the creative journey and following our vocational paths
as hard as they can be sometimes! What a blessing today to receive your comment!