We just watched “The Book of Eli” last weekend. Wow.
I need to add a disclaimer here that there is lots of
violence and not for the faint of heart, but wow.
Denzel Washington plays the part of Eli, and he is traveling
by foot through the desolate wasteland of what’s left of the United States in the year 2044. His
only instruction, given by a voice from deep inside him, is to go West. In his backpack, Eli carries a book—a large,
black King James Version of the Bible. He defends this book with his life. He
fights for it, suffers for it.
The villain in the movie wants the book desperately. He too
fights for it and suffers for it, and causes others to suffer for it. He will stop at nothing to get the book. He
tells his cohorts that it’s a weapon. He finally catches up with Eli, shoots
him, and gets the book. He takes it back to his lair, unable to open it because
of the lock that holds it closed. He watches as his locksmith works to open the
book. He is feverish (from an infected injury) and nearly hysterical as he
waits to open the book.
I don’t want to give away the coolest parts of the movie in
case you want to check it out. But, wow, if only we desired the word, realized
its power, and were willing to give anything to get it in our hearts and minds
as the characters in the movie are! We have become so complacent. I couldn’t
even tell you how many Bibles I have in my home. Many of you are the same, I’m
sure. We have Bibles everywhere—on our Kindles, on our smart phones, iPods and
computers, on the Internet, and even some hard copies in multiple versions,
paraphrases and languages. Eli carries with him the only remaining copy.
After watching The Book of Eli, my desire to read and
memorize The Word has been renewed. Am I willing to walk for 30 years? Am I
willing to suffer and fight for it? Am I willing to give my life for it? Am I
even willing to experience some discomfort for it? Am I willing to spend time reading and memorizing it? I better be because it is
life, it is power, it is truth.
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I would love to hear from you! Let me know what you think and how I can pray for you. Most of us are carrying some pretty heavy baggage and the good news is, you don't have to carry it alone! You can lay it at the feet of Jesus, and sometimes we need help just letting go of our baggage and not picking it up again. We're in this together!