Warning – SPOILER ALERT, if you haven’t seen the movie I do talk in-depth about it.
I wish that I would’ve written this blog right after I saw the movie so I would be as fired up as I was. I have one word that describes it…PHENOMENAL. Angelina Jolie took the story of this uncommon man, Louie Zamperini, who had a wonderful talent as an Olympic runner. This man overcame insurmountable odds including 47 days lost at sea, and years of brutal torture at a Japanese prisoner of war camp.
There are so many parallels to the life of Jesus and the suffering he endured. In once scene, the evil squad leader asked Louie to pick up a wooden beam and said that if he dropped it to shoot him. It was so amazing to see God’s provision over his life because, despite a sprained ankle, he was able to hold it up for hours and even lift it above his head. This reminds of me of the cross of Christ. After 40 lashes and a crown of thorns, Jesus still carried the cross up to Calvary. I believe this kind of insurmountable strength is only given by God himself….
One of the key phrases Louie’s brother told him during the film, was “if you can take it, you can make it”. He often thought of that throughout the training for the Olympics, as well as the hellish circumstances he endured. This reminds me of the scripture, Phillipians 4:13, I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me.
Eventually Louie made it to the other side. He was sent home after the war was over, but the trouble didn’t end there. Soon after he was married, he began to drink and was plagued every evening by nightmares of the torture he endured. Visions of “the bird” which was the name of the ruthless Japanese leader, haunted him daily. He also woke up strangling his wife by accident during an episode of what would later be classified as “post traumatic stress disorder”.
Shortly after his wife asked for a divorce, Louie remembered the promise he made to God that if he saved him when he was lost in the ocean, that he would dedicate his life to him. They then went together to a tent revival where Billy Graham was preaching. Louie left, but then came back and finally gave his life to Jesus. He said that after that night, he was delivered from his nightmares.
He then went on to live for God and even went back to Japan to make peace with his former captors although “the bird” refused to meet with him.
His life is a true testimony of how God holds us in His precious hands even long before we accept Him. It’s a story of how we can run all we want, but eventually he will guide us back to his loving arms. Louie’s life is a beautiful story of surrender.
Although the movie was amazing, I wish it would’ve shown more of the 2nd half of Louie’s life because I feel that was the best part of his story. Fortunately, Billy Graham’s son has already completed a documentary and you can view it for free by clicking on the link below;
I hope you enjoy the story and that it inspires you to persevere by the grace of God, relying on His strength to get you through the worst of times….so you can comfort others with the same comfort you’ve received and enter the promises and blessings of a life with Christ…… here and for all of eternity.
~Happy Movie Watching!