[TruthTalk] The Last Samurai

[ShieldsFamily]

TT’ers,   Yesterday my Beloved and I went to see the movie “The Last Samurai”.  It was R rated for lots of violence, and I had to keep my eyes closed now and then because of that. But, for those of you who don’t object to secular movies, and can stomach gory war scenes, I would encourage you to see it and let us know what you thought of it.  I thought it was a very inspiring movie because, for me as a Believer, there were a lot of parallels for us as Christ-followers.    For one thing, although the Samurai were the mightiest of warriors, the word “Samurai” did not mean “warrior”, but it meant “servant”.  Wow. For another thing, it really hit me when the main character said of them, “From the moment they rise in the morning, they spend the day perfecting whatever they have been called to do.” If only that could be said of us, as Believers.  Also, the Samurai and their community (in the film, at least) lived lives of perfect discipline, submission, cleanliness, and polite manners towards one another.  They lived by a strict code of ethics, for which they would gladly give their lives.  The main character, having been taken captive by them, had a total character change reminiscent of our born-again experience.  As we discussed the movie afterwards, I told my husband that the movie puts me to shame, to think that Samurai would live such disciplined lives for their Emperor, and yet our King is worthy of so very much more from each of us.  We should be as skillful warriors in the Spirit as the Samurai were in the flesh.   Perhaps the most striking line, to me, was when Tom Cruise was trying to learn their artful form of sword fighting.  He kept not quite catching on until his instructor told him what his problem was: “You have too many minds.” In other words, he was allowing himself to be distracted my too many things, and not concentrating entirely on his goal.  What a lesson for us as disciples of Christ!   I think this movie will be a major hit, and likely bring Tom Cruise an Oscar, because our society is so hungry for examples of worthy character.  Too bad we have to see it in the movies, and not in the Believers all around us.  It left me inspired to be more of a light in the darkness for Christ.   I Cor: 9:24   Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25   And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26   I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27   But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.   Izzy