Angels in the Outfield

Quite a stunning story, I must admit. I mean, granted, it is a children's story, in essence. But I wouldn't say it's a story that's restricted to kids. While the story is definitely made for children on the surface, what with it's beginning layer of somewhat unbelievability, mixed in with a somewhat kid's theme of angels and the perfect happily ever after ending, I think it's something anyone, and everyone can learn from. When you strip it down, the story is about believing in yourself. And who in the world can that not apply to, except maybe God himself? But then, he's not really in this world, persay. Nonetheless, it's a valid question. Believing in yourself is a core thing that everybody needs at one time or another. Whether it's doubting your ability to pass the SAT, or maybe sulking because you don't think you can make the cut for the team; if you don't believe in yourself, what are your chances? Zero. Zilch. Nada. If you believe in yourself, you always have a chance.

But where does belief come from? It's easy to tell someone "Oh come on, just believe in yourself! You'll make it through." But what if we can't do that? I know often doubt myself. That's because we've been exposed to the failure in this world. One of my favorite lines from the movie, is when the coach is talking to Roger, just after his dad signed him over to the state, and he says "Listen Roger. You can't go through life thinking everyone you need will one day let you down. If you do, a very bad thing will happen. You'll end up just like me". And if you've seen the movie, you know exactly what he's talking about. He's definitely not the perfect guy. He's got a lot of problems, and a terrible anger problem(which hey, I can attest to). But it all spouts from his doubt, or rather, his lack of belief. And he knows that's what's plaguing Roger, and who better to advise against that than someone who went through the same thing? We experience times of being let down a lot. And that puts so much stress on our ability to believe. But if we go through life with that outlook, we're going to get torn up.

But back to my original question. Where does belief come from? Well, it's simple, and even more simply explained in the movie. Angels. Or, more seriously, from God. Because, nobody in this world can you count on 100% of the time to back you up, or to never bail on you. But God, well, He'll never back down when you need Him. He's there 100% of the time, and then some! God is the only guy you can trust no matter what the problem is, no matter where you are, no matter how deep in sin you are. Believe on Him, and He never lets you down! And that's so beautiful, and I think the perfect representation of faith. Sure, nobody else can do that. But just to know that there is somebody out there. Well, that's a faith restorer, let me tell you!

Another beautiful thing about this movie, is that the angels aren't just there to help the Angels(the baseball team) win the pennant. And they're not even just there to help Roger get his family that he's always wanted, though they do achieve both of those things. The angels move in everyone. More specifically, God moves in everyone's hearts. Not only does he fix Roger's faith, and restore it, he instills new faith in the coach, something he's never fully experienced. And even more so than that, he fills the team with faith. In the beginning, they're on a terrible losing streak. And why? Because nobody believes. The coach doesn't believe in his team, the team doesn't believe in eachother or themselves, and the fans don't even believe in the team! It's a mess of a situation. Enter, the angels! They restore everyone's beliefs, and not just in themselves. They give them something TO believe in; the real angels. And that gives everybody newfound hope.

Possibly the most interesting scene in the movie, when you think about it, was when the coach was forced to either deny the angels existence, or forfeit his career. Interseting situation. Remind you of anything? That's right. A man named Simon-Peter went through this same kind of situation during the time of Jesus, although it was more his life on stake, and Him being friends with Jesus. But the simliarity still stands.

"Jesus answered, "I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me." "
Luke 22: 34

"Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. But when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, "This man was with him." But he denied it. "Woman, I don't know him," he said.A little later someone else saw him and said, "You also are one of them."
"Man, I am not!" Peter replied. About an hour later another asserted, "Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean." Peter replied, "Man, I don't know what you're talking about!" Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times." And he went outside and wept bitterly."
-Luke 22: 54-62

Peter went through quite a similar situation, and sadly, when the time came, he did deny knowing his Saviour. However, the coach does not. In the beginning, he plans to. But seeing Roger's face, and the hope he had, he changes his mind. Instead of dying, he gives a speech about faith. He says that it may be angels, or it may be something else, but when indescribable things happen in sports, you've gotta have faith in something.

The last thing I want to touch on is this: The representation of angels in this movie. Now, I gotta say, they look pretty weird. They have glowing majestic golden robes, and humongous wings, but then they have average everyday faces. It's kinda funny. Now I know nobody can really know what angels look like; but I don't think this is it. Now I'm definitely not dissing what they did with the angels in this movie. I think it was brilliant. Nobody can really represent angels. But I think it was good to give them a human look, because, like I said, the movie is directed towards kids, and kids need a tangible image of something to believe in. However, how angels are represented is something that bugs me. As C.S. Lewis said in his preface to The Great Divorce, nobody can really show what angels look like, and to try would just be silly. Something that majestic really can't be described, and even if he did know, how could he put it to words? And I agree with that whole heartedly. There's no way to really picturise angels, and demons for that matter too. So truly, I don't really like it when anybody tries to put a picture to heavenly things like that. It just doesn't do it justice. However, I must say they did an OK job for it, and it's definitely something that helps the kids.

In conclusion, I gotta say, this movie is kind of awesome. I'm surprised I haven't seen it before. But no joke, it was intense. I was dry eyed staring at the screen waiting to see if they would win. It's a great movie for all ages, and one I would for sure recommend. And hey, when you're ever doubting something, just think: "It could happen!" ;)

. . .

Weell, I just went to the Wednesday night Reset group and man, it was pretty darn cool. It was tough though. I'm not really good at receiving compliments, and we basically had to sit and people went around complimenting you and such. Yeesh. It was really fun to give compliments to others though. :] And overall, the group was really great. We had less people tonight then usual, but our group went over like 20 minutes XD We take way too long. But it's all so much fun.

Anyway, that up there earlier? A literary analysis for Angels in the Outfield, the movie I watched today. Mrs. Lang was commenting on how I had never seen it, and told me I should watch it, write a literary analysis, and a discursis. So I did :D

So that's all I've got I guess. One thing I'd like to ask for is just prayer for endurance(I think that's the right word). I'd rather not go into what the dealio is, but yeah; prayer is appreciated. :]

Bon voyage!