Staying The Course

Out recently is a film entitled, "Simon Birch." It is about a 12 year old boy who was very small and deformed at birth. In fact, he never grew taller than 3 feet, the size of, well a young boy. Because of his physical and emotional peculiarities, he was disliked and rejected by many. Even his parents hardly paid any attention to him
at all. In the town, only a few liked Simon, and sadly, he killed one of them by accident. To make matters worse, it was the mother of his best friend, Jake. What made Simon different, is that he dared to ask questions and to expect answers, even from adults. He was unafraid. Above this, Simon believed that all human beings had a purpose in being alive, a purpose that God designed them to fill. Simon not only believed this about others, he believed it about himself, and would share it whenever he felt the conversation prompted it. Simon wanted to please God. So to say that Simon was an unusual fellow, is definitely an understatement.

For most of his short life, Simon searched for his purpose. Waiting and watching, he spoke of it constantly. When Simon discovered that Jake was attending church with his mom, Simon asked to attend with them. Enjoying church fellowship, and being close to God, Simon was unafraid to rebuke the Reverend out loud when he was wrong-- even in the middle of the service. Naturally the Reverend was embarrassed and humiliated, and therefore didn't like Simon for this. And so Simon got into trouble for the childish pranks his classmates pulled.

Simon and Jake used to go swimming together where they would practice holding their breaths and of course they competed with one another to see who could hold his breath the longest. Simon had the uncanny ability to hold his breath for a long time under water. Each time they went swimming, Simon tried to hold his breath longer than he did the last time. This ability proved to be an asset, for one day, it saved lives. While on an outing with 4 and 5 year olds, the bus they were in riding swerved to avoid hitting a deer. Out of control, the bus careened off the road, down the
embankment, and into the river. The force of the current drove the back door open, and the bus began to sink. Panic-stricken, children began rocking themselves out of fright, banging on the windows, and crying. Some were even screaming. Pandemonium reigned, as the bus driver opened the front door and escaped underwater. All thought they would drown. Only Simon remained calm. Standing on a seat, he shouted to the children "shut-up, and listen!" And they did. Because Simon had been kind to them, and was about their height, they trusted him. Stronger than they were, Simon was able to force open a window, get under them, and push them out one by one. At last one boy whose foot was caught between the seat was left. Holding his breath, Simon finally freed the boy, but began to sink with the bus in the icy cold winter waters of the river. Adults arriving on the scene, were told what happened and that Simon was still in the bus. Swiftly they took action, rescued him and took him to the hospital. Simon did revive, and was able to talk, but was far too weak. One by one his classmates, and best friend Jake visited. Simon told them that he was ok and ready to die, that he was at peace, because he had fulfilled his purpose and could now go. Trying to reassure them, Simon told them not to be afraid and sad, because God had a purpose for each of them too, and that when it was time, each one would know it. Bidding them good-night because he was tired, he died.

The moral of the film is that God prepared Simon, and that Simon could be used
because he was willing. Like Simon, John the Baptist, although awkward, was willing. Being a Nazarite, John abided by strict lifestyle principles. According to Mark 1:6, "And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey." Unfashionable, John did not partake in the trendy styles of consumption. "John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins" Mark 1:4. This meant of course that John lived in the wilderness, and was not frequently seen in the towns or cities. He seemed like what we would refer to as a cave man. He may have been unpolished and unmannerly, and was probably dusty and sweaty to say the least. According to
the book of Mark, John the Baptist was unafraid to preach the truth to whomever would listen, and that included the wealthy and the powerful. Needless to say, straight truth is usually uhm, well-- shall we say-- unappreciated. So perhaps like our film character Simon, he was tolerated by the religious types.

Both John and Simon were forthright, but not only was John forthright, according to Mark 1:7, he was humble. He preached: "...here cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose... ." He understood that Christ's mission would supersede his, and responded by saying, "... I indeed have baptized you with water: but He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost" Mark 1: 8. Known through out Judea as one who defied the authorities with a message of righteousness and truth, John called Sin by its name and was unafraid. Obviously he was politically incorrect, not that there existed such a thing at that time, but just the same had we heard him, we might have found him offensive.

From his birth, John the Baptist was filled with the Spirit. John was the one of whom it was said, "As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send My messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make His paths straight" Mark 1: 2, 3. Simon Birch, although a film character, epitomized a life filled by the Spirit. Like John the Baptist, his mission was to prepare the way that others might see God, and have life eternal. Like John the Baptist, he was not deterred by challenges or difficulties. They both kept the faith, enduring till the end.

We all know life is not fair, and it certainly is not kind. Yet depending on the choices we make, we can stay the course, and be found victorious in Him. God has provided each one of us with the gift of Himself, and life in Him. So, whatever He has gifted you with, whatever purpose to which He has brought you, stay the course, for others are depending on you.

Maria Greaves-Barnes & Raul Diaz

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