Marvel-ous Grace

What do Marvel movies, Jurassic Park movies and the TV show Parks and Recreation have in common with the biblical expression of Grace? Probably not much, except for a powerful speech given by the actor who plays the top role in all of them.  This summer, actor Chris Pratt won the MTV Generational Award. I’m not much of an MTV watcher, ok, I don’t watch it at all, but Pratt’s speech went viral and caught my attention. I think you’ll appreciate his courage to speak about his faith in front of a counter-culture audience. And you’ll get a beautiful glimpse at his understanding of God’s love expressed through grace.

Pratt presented his unique “Nine Rules by Chris Pratt.” He began with common-sense advice with number one; “Breathe, if you don’t, you’ll suffocate.” Then rule number two, “You have a soul. Be careful with it.” Then in perfect Chris Pratt style, rule number three, “Don’t be a turd.”

Now, if you are unfamiliar with Pratt, this line of communication may seem crude, but this is exactly the style that makes him a straight-shooter and down-right charming. If you know Pratt, you immediately appreciate his candor and comedic edge. By the way, his PG-13 Marvel movie “Guardians of the Galaxy” embodies this larger than life personality.

Then Pratt presented his faith in biblical proportion! Rule number six “God is real. God loves you. God wants the best for you. Believe that. I do,” Pratt proclaimed. He followed up with “Learn to pray. It’s easy and its good for your soul.”

But his final rule, rule nine, was by far, my favorite rule. He began with this statement, “Nobody’s perfect.” He continued, “People are gonna tell you, you’re perfect just the way that you are … you’re not! You’re imperfect. You always will be, but there is a powerful force that designed you that way, and if you are willing to accept that, you will have grace. And grace is a gift. Like the freedom that we enjoy in this country, that grace was paid for with somebody else’s blood. Do not forget it. Don’t take it for granted.”

To see the entire speech, here’s the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EihqXHqxri0

Okay, this is me talking now, I truly believe if we teach, model and express biblical “grace” to our children, we will see healing unfold before our very eyes in the next generation. Give people the same free gift of grace that you once received (by faith). The Bible has an awesome verse that says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” I bet Chris Pratt knows this one!

Want to learn more about Biblical grace? Read my blog called “Why The Great Flip?”