A few weeks ago, my wife and I saw the Coen Brothers version of the movie "True Grit" starring Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, and Hailee Seinfeld. It was an re-make of the 1969 edition of the movie starring John Wayne, Glenn Campbell, and Kim Darby. Both, of course, were based on Charles Portis' novel by the same name.
I never saw the 1969 version of the movie, but Jan and I both thoroughly enjoyed the 2010 version. As members of the church of Christ, where we often sing "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms" and "Hold to God's Unchanging Hand," we were quite impressed with how these songs kept appearing in the background of so many of the scenes. F. L. Eiland, a member of the church of Christ, wrote the music to "Hold to God's Unchanging Hand," and he was mentioned in the credits. At the end of the movie, Iris Dement did a stirring rendition of "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms."
The concept of true grit is a tremendous one. It speaks of toughness, determination, and unrelenting perseverance. Jan is a sterling example of true grit. On the day before last Thanksgiving, while getting back on her treadmill with it running (not a good idea, as she now knows), she was thrown down and slammed into the wall behind the treadmill. She would not agree to go to the doctor until the following Monday. Subsequent X-rays and an MRI revealed torn tendons and a badly damaged rotator cuff in her left shoulder. A visit to an orthopedic surgeon determined that surgery would be required to repair the damage. But since hers was not a "life threatening" situation, the surgery was not scheduled until after the first of the year—first for January 5, then re-scheduled for January 12. Through all of the weeks between the time of the injury and the time of her surgery she endured a lot of pain but still managed all the activities of both Thanksgiving and our traditional family Christmas Eve activities, and even a trip out to see "True Grit"! The surgery is now behind her and she is on the road to recovery and doing extremely well. The prayers of so many of you in her behalf have been greatly appreciated. We ask that you continue to remember her. And for whatever it is worth, I look quite spiffy in an apron, running the vacuum cleaner, washing and drying clothes, making the bed, using the microwave, etc., etc., thank you!
The Bible is filled with stories of true grit. One of the most striking is that of the prophet Micaiah. (I Kings 22). The wicked king of Israel, Ahab, was seeking counsel with reference to going to battle against Ramoth Gilead. He had surrounded himself with 400 "yes men" who told him he would be victorious. Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, urged Ahab to consult God's prophet Micaiah. But Ahab said of Micaiah "I hate him, because he does not prophesy good concerning me, but evil" (verse 8). Nevertheless, messengers were sent to Micaiah to get his word about the matter. The messengers urged Micaiah: "Now listen, the words of the prophets (Ahab's "yes men") with one accord encourage the king. Please, let your words be like the word of one of them, and speak encouragement." Translation: "Tell Ahab what he wants to hear" (verse 13). Micaiah replied: "As the Lord lives, whatever the Lord says to me, that I will speak" (verse 14). For Micaiah to tell Ahab the truth when all the other prophets
were telling him what he wanted to hear required an unusual amount of true grit.
And so it is today. When our culture is steeped in pluralism and post-modernism (philosophies which assert that there are many right ways and many right answers, and that no one way is the exclusive way to serve the Lord), it takes great courage and true grit to stand up and declare that "there is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all" (Ephesians 4:4-6).
Hugh Fulford
January 18, 2011
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