ONE*

Why focus on movies? Research reveals that most Americans are greatly influenced by the songs they hear or the movies they see. This influence is so great, that it has been proven to be one of the things that develops the lens through which the person defines his or her world.

Last week, we tackled the movie, “Dunkirk.” I hope that your prayer life was stimulated and that you began to believe that God can make a way when there seems to be no way.

This week my task is much more difficult because I’m going to go digging around in the blockbuster hit, Wonder Woman.

I used to want to save the world. It is a land of magic and wonder, worth cherishing in every way. But the closer you get the more you see the great darkness simmering within. And mankind, is another story all together. What one does when faced with the truth is more difficult than you think.

The movie opens up with the introduction of a little girl Diana. She lives on the beautiful island of Themycira. We later discover that this island was created by Zeus to hide a race of women warriors called the Amazons.

Greek mythology teaches that Zeus created the human race but Zeus’s son Ares, grew envious of mankind and sought to corrupt his father’s creation.

The movie tells us that Ares poisoned men’s hearts with jealousy and suspicion. He turned them against one another and war ravaged the earth.

When little Diana heard this story she asked, “And the god-killer?” Diana is shown a hidden sword and a shield. She believes that the weapon is a sword but later finds that she is the weapon.

I don’t think “want” is the word. I guess I’ve gotta try. My father told me once, “When you see something wrong happening in the world, you can either do nothing or do something.” And I already tried nothing.

Diana’s obedience is the weapon that will destroy the god of war and stop the destruction of mankind.

We hear Diana’s passion to fulfill her purpose when she says, “I’m willing to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves.” There are so many biblical overtones in her words.

Her mother says, “You will never be able to return once you leave. Diana replies, “How will I be if I stay?

In the epic battle between good and evil. Ares, the god of war, tempts Wonder Woman to kill all the humans. He says, Mankind is ugly, filled with hatred and weak. You should kill them all.

Diana’s response in the epic battle is the story behind the story. Her revelation is the answer that will ultimately destroy darkness and end war

Diana says, “You are wrong about them. They’re everything you say but so much more. It’s not about what you deserve, it’s about what you believe and I believe in love.”

Now back to biblical truth. When we believe in God we believe in love, and when we believe in love, we can change the world.

Some of the bibles Wonder Women:
· Esther
· Lydia
· Deborah

What can we learn from the life of Deborah and Jael? We can see that God’s power is what matters, regardless of the instrument He chooses to use. Man or woman, strong or weak, confident or hesitant – all are strong when they are moved by God’s Spirit and filled with His strength.

God places His spirit on both men and women to reveal the power of His love. When we believe in God, we believe in love and when we believe in love and act on it, we can change the world.

As His sons and daughters, we have been given the ability to reveal God to the world. Our weapon is love.

Darkness cannot stop us and death cannot defeat us when we place our trust in God and love others the same way that He has loved us.

· What gifts has God given you to make a difference in people’s lives?
· What could you do this week to bring light to your business or office?
· How could you give hope to students or professors at your college?
· What could you do this week to impact your friends with the love of Jesus Christ?

When we believe in God we believe in love, and when we believe in love and act on it, we have the potential to change the world.