Father Stu with Paul McDonald and Britt Mooney
Coming up on the Men at the Movies podcast, I talk with Britt Mooney about Father Stu. His story has some dark moments, but being realistic about the darkness reveals how redemptive God really is. We discuss the meaning of suffering, frequently asking God to figure out a way that doesn’t hurt so much. We discover that suffering is often God’s tool to draw us to Him. We’re not asking for an easy life, but praying for the strength to endure a difficult one. Let’s discover God’s truth in this movie.
Quotes
Being realistic about the darkness reveals how redemptive God really is. When you’re able to meet people in their brokenness in a real genuine way, it pulls them in to have the right conversations.
If we live our lives with a works mentality, like, “If you want dessert, you have to eat your vegetables,” then we figure we’re suffering because we didn’t do what we were supposed to do.
We live in a broken world and long for an unbroken one.
We ask God to figure out a way that doesn’t hurt so much.
Suffering reveals our weakness.
The toughest fights are the only ones worth walking in to.
The turning point is an encounter with the supernatural.
Jesus knew Mary and Martha were tough enough to hang on even when it was dark.
All these things that he thinks disqualified him actually were part of the plan to prepare him.
The point is, if he can change me, he can change anybody.
Suffering is frequently God’s tool to draw us to Him.
Themes
Suffering
We look for a reason, frequently blaming God for our suffering
We fill in the blanks with negative thoughts
We want a why for our suffering
We approach life like a formula—if I do this, I will get this result.
The encounter with the supernatural will lead to transformation.
Reveals what is false.
The message of suffering—you’ll never be enough, you’ve been forgotten, forsaken. Suffering reveals our weakness. The world is resistant and hostile to the idea of suffering. Suffering can bring reconciliation.
Response to suffering—fight it, hide it, deny it, minimize it, embrace it. Or we can use it for the Kingdom. God meets us in our brokenness. He does the heavy lifting.
Resources
“I’ve heard the accusation
And I’ve heard the propaganda
I’ve heard the lies they whispered to my soul
That I have been forsaken
And I’ll always be forgotten
No matter what I do it’s not enough.” - I Am Your Beloved by Jonathan David and Melissa Helser“Suffering is a gift from God…We shouldn’t pray for an easy life, but for the strength to endure a difficult one.” - Father Stu
“We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.” -Hebrews 12:2 (NLT)
“In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.” -Hebrews 12:4 (NIV)
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” -Romans 8:18 (NIV)
Questions
How does darkness reveal the light of redemption?
How do you respond to suffering? Blaming God? Asking why? Filling in the blanks?
How does your approach to God resemble a formula instead of relationship?
How have you suffered recently? How does it reveal your true self?
More info
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Edited and mixed by Grayson Foster
Logo and episode templates by Ian Johnston
Audio quotes performed by Britt Mooney, Paul McDonald, and Tim Willard, taken from Epic (written by John Eldredge) and Song of Albion (written by Stephen Lawhead).
Southerly Change performed by Zane Dickinson, used under license from Shutterstock
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