"Bravery of the Flawed"

         As we celebrate American Independence this weekend, our summer worship series shifts its attention to the Christian value of bravery.  Bravery is frequently portrayed as a core characteristic of American patriotism.  At the same time, it should also be included as an essential Christian virtue.  Afterall, it takes great bravery to become a martyr for one’s faith as many Christians have done from the persecution of the early Church by the Romans down through the ages until the present time.

            Over the past few weeks, we have been using popular, cartoon feature films by Disney to explore core Christian values in a series we have called, “Films, Fun, & Faith.”  To explore the Christian value of bravery, we are examining the film, Planes, this weekend.  Planes tells the story of “Dusty Crophopper,” a plane designed for agricultural crop dusting.  However, Dusty is not content being “only” a crop dusting aircraft.  Rather, he aspires to be a racing plane and to compete in the upcoming “Wings Across the Globe” air race.

            Unfortunately, Dusty suffers from a fear of heights.  So, the film, Planes, revolves around the story of Dusty overcoming his fear of heights in order to win the prestigious “Wings Across the Globe” air race.  Although well done, Planes follows a standard plot line in which bravery is depicted through a relatively young protagonist overcoming a particular fear or challenge in order to obtain a highly valued goal.  Although I recognize the validity of conceiving bravery in this way, I would like to explore a different understanding of bravery this weekend. 

I call this alternative understanding the bravery of the flawed.  To develop our thinking about bravery of the flawed, we will not focus on the character Dusty, but rather his mentor, “Skipper.”  Skipper is a broken down Navy war plane.  Although he has not flown for decades, Skipper enjoys regaling any listeners he can find with stories of his battle exploits during World War II.  Yet, at the same time, Skipper is hiding a deep, dark secret.  During the air race around the world, Dusty inadvertently discovers Skipper’s secret.

            Skipper’s dark secret is that he actually only flew one mission during the war.  Disobeying orders from his commander, Skipper led a whole squadron of trainees into an ambush by the Japanese Navy, resulting in the deaths of every single trainee, with only Skipper escaping.  In a poignant moment in the film, Skipper confesses to Dusty and then apologizes for misleading him.

            Skipper’s role in Planes does not end with his confession to Dusty.  Later in the film, Skipper must summon the bravery in order rescue Dusty from an attack by three competitor planes in the air race, who are literally trying to destroy the small crop-duster.  Once rescued from the attacking competitors, Dusty is able to overcome his fear of heights and win the race.

              I believe that there are some striking similarities between the story of Skipper in Planes and the story of Samson in the Bible.  (See the Book of Judges 13-16.)  At this point in its history, Israel is led individuals called “Judges.”  These Judges provided religious, civil, and military leadership as Israel developed as a nation-state.  From before his birth, God sets aside Samson as a Judge to lead Israel.  God blesses Samson with special gifts to lead his people, including an incredible physical strength. 

Unfortunately, Samson is unfaithful to God and the people of Israel whom he has been called to lead.  Ultimately, Samson is betrayed by his wife, who shaved his head and thus negated his superhuman strength.  Thus weakened, Samson was easily captured by the Philistines who were enemies of Israel.  The Philistines, then, gouged out Samson’s eyes and humiliated him by forcing him to perform for them during their religious festival.

At this festival, Samson prays that God will return his strength one last time.  With his strength renewed, Samson bravely collapses the pillars holding up the roof of the Philistine temple.  When the roof collapses it kills thousands of Philistines, as well as Samson himself.

Just as Skipper in the fictional film, Planes, so also Samson is a tragically flawed historical figure.  Samson has been given extraordinary gifts by God and called by God to the special roles as Judge.  Samson fritters away his gifts and is unfaithful towards God and the people of Israel.  In a moment of truth, Just as the fictional plane, Skipper, so also Samson must confess his shortcomings and repent from his sins, before finding the courage to perform the role which he was created to fulfill.

Although bravery is usually depicted as the story of Dusty the crop-duster, for most of us our reality is more akin to Skipper and to Samson.  Just like these two characters, so also we are flawed persons.  We have weaknesses; we have regrets; we have not always done as much with our talents and opportunities as we should have.  In theological terms, we are sinners.  Yet, despite our flawed characters, God offers us forgiveness, healing, and a second chance to be brave in the things that really matter.  This is the bravery of the flawed, and God calls us to develop this virtue of a “flawed bravery.”

 

Come, join us this Sunday, July 6th, as we explore what it means to be brave.  Our church is located at the corner of Main and Dawson Streets in Meriden, Kansas.  Our classic worship service starts at 10 am on Sunday mornings.  We will also watch and discuss the film, Planes on Sunday afternoon, beginning at 5 pm. 

Everyone is welcome and accepted because God loves us all.