I haven’t seen many recent mainstream movies with an
underlying message of faith. I've seen movies that could potentially inspire
the watcher to believe in themselves, in magic, in the power of ‘mother’
nature, or in the love of sisterhood, but I haven’t come across many that would
inspire a belief in God. So it was with some surprise that I found a message of
faith in Lego.
The Lego Movie was released in Australia last week.
This is
what I took away from the story:
If you believe in ’The Man Upstairs’ He can use an
ordinary person like you to do extraordinary things.
In this Lego world ‘The Man Upstairs’ is a small boy who has
created the story line and placed the Lego characters in their ‘save the world’
predicament. I won’t go into an extensive review of this movie, suffice to say
the Christian message came through to me loud and clear. What struck me about
this movie is that it is a story aimed at the mainstream market, and at its
heart seems to be a message of faith. It made me think so much about my own
writing. Can we, as Christian authors, bring a message of faith to the
mainstream world? I think we can. I think we should. I believe that where God
inspires the will, He will show the way.
So if it is on your heart to write a mainstream story with a
message of faith, but you think you won’t find an audience, think again. If God
has given you the calling, I know He will give you the audience.
Hey, If Lego can be used, we can too. :-)
Rose, who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree, was born in North Queensland, Australia. Her childhood experiences growing up in a small beach community would later provide inspiration for her first novel, 'Back to Resolution'.
Her novels are inspired by the love of her coastal home and desire to produce exciting and contemporary stories of faith for women.
'Beyond Resolution', and 'A New Resolution' are the second and third books in the 'Resolution' series.
Rose's debut novel 'Back to Resolution' won Bookseller's Choice at the CALEB Awards 2012. 'A New Resolution' won the Fiction prize, CALEB 2013.
She has also released 'The Greenfield Legacy', a collaborative novel, written in conjunction with three other outstanding Australian authors.
Rose resides in Mackay, North Queensland with her husband, young son, and mischievous pup, Noodle.
Visit Rose at:
http://rosedee.com/
x
Wow, interesting read Rose. It is so hard to know what t send your kids to. We were told the movie was very dark and "Harry Potterish" so we stayed away from it. It is so confusing!
ReplyDeleteOh, well I don't know how that movie can be interpreted as dark and Harry Potterish? But then everyone has their own take - mine was very positive. If you Google Lego Movie and Faith you will see a range of posts talking further about the movie. These would be good to look at for further information, Kayleen.
DeleteAs for me - I can see a lot of positives about it.
xx Rose
Great message Rose. There are a lot of darker movies out there for sure, but it's great to see a message of faith coming out more in mainstream movies. Can be a great starting point for conversations. I also really like your comment that if God has called you to write, He'll give you the audience. It may not always be in box office millions, but He knows who needs to hear that message. Interesting food for thought.
ReplyDeleteHi Nola,
DeleteThere have been some really dark movies in recent years - especially for children. I found this one a refreshing change.
Yes, the Lord has a plan for our work - A very good plan. :-)
xx
Thanks, Rose. I love how your heart to serve God with your writing and reach out shines through this post even! God bless
ReplyDeleteThat is a real compliment, Jo-Anne, and one I will keep close to my heart.
DeleteBlessings in abundance back to you.
xo
That was so encouraging to hear Rose. Thank you. I am contemplating writing a mainstream novel with the gospel message implicitly entwined. So that bodes well for my novel. Thank you! :) And bless you for the encouragement.
ReplyDeleteThat is great news, Anusha. Lately I have been the recipient of great encouragement. It is a wonderful feeling to give some back. I have had some valuable advice on this writing journey of mine, but there have been instances of well intentioned discouragement as well. I think the most important thing is to listen to the Lord's direction - even when everyone else tells you, 'you can't do that'. Because if the Lord is with us - who can be against us?
DeleteI have been reading C.S Lewis's Narnia Series. There is so many faith elements in these timeless stories. They live on through generation after generation, and I have used these stories to teach my son more about Jesus.
Stories are powerful.
I'm looking forward to reading your novel one day.
xx Rose.
So interesting, Rose.I've just finished your Christian novel Back to Resolution. In it you've woven the message loud and clear...not by preaching, but through the lives of your main characters with all their flaws. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rita. I have been told time and time again that 'Back to Resolution' could easily be a mainstream novel. I hope that it can be read in both the Christian market and the mainstream market. I would love it if someone read my story and set out to discover more about Jesus.
DeleteThat would be amazing.
xx Rose.
That's excellent. We haven't seen that movie yet, but definitely will. I love finding faith messages in unexpected places.
ReplyDeleteSo good to see it in a mainstream movie too.
DeleteThat is good news. With two grandchildren who usually go to the movies in the school holidays, I would love there to be lots of wholesome movies that uplift - and if some of them point to faith, that is a bonus :)
ReplyDeleteI was very pleasantly surprised, Debbie.
DeleteThanks for your post Rose
ReplyDeleteWe have been big Lego fans here for many years (our son is 22 and still loves to get Lego in his birthday or Christmas present) so will be hiring the movie when we can.
Writing is such an amazing adventure God can use to bless.....people we would never have guessed! And there is nothing better than getting our inspiring words into print!
Love your work Rose :-)
Di
Hi Di,
DeleteThat's an awesome compliment. Thank you.
I suspect my son will still have Lego moments when he is older. He is a big fan of creative things. And, although it is a children's movie, I do believe adults will enjoy it too.
Yes, writing sure is a great adventure. Learning every day. :-)
xx