Top Gun Maverick with Paul McDonald and Andreas Werner (part 2 of 2)
This week on the Men at the Movies podcast, we fire all of our rockets and use all of our flares in part 2 of our conversation about Top Gun Maverick. We all have a look that communicates that we are entering territory where we are risking something great, but can’t determine the outcome. How do we handle it when our greatest fears come true? Will we keep fighting, or eject when we run out of options? Thankfully, we have a savior arrive at the last minute who redeems those situations, one who says, “That’s what my dad would’ve done.” Let’s discover God’s truth in this movie.
Quotes
We think we control a lot more than we actually do.
“I don’t like that look” is a sign we are entering into territory where we are not in control and might crash and burn.
Themes
“The look on your face:”
Maverick is about to enter in a situation where he has no control over the outcome.
Transition from one identity to another
This look means what I’m about to do matters, that there’s something at stake.
“I’m sorry, Goose.”
Maverick’s journey of letting go of fear.
All of our training and experience culminate in the ultimate battle—will we tap out because we think the risk is too great?
“It’s what my dad would’ve done.”
We get to a place where we can’t fight anymore.
We’re tempted to eject, but we have a savior.
Redemption when Maverick’s greatest fear actually happens.
Resources
Men at the Movies podcast: Top Gun
Men at the Movies YouTube: Iceman scene
Welcome to Tom Cruise’s Flight School for ‘Top Gun: Maverick’
“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33 (NLT)
Questions
When do you get “that look” on your face?
What situations do you enter in that are out of your control? How do you feel engaging in them?
What will you do when the worst thing you can imagine happens?
How will you respond when things get out of control?
What burden do you carry that isn’t yours to carry?
What relationship do you need to let go of?
What are you most afraid of?
What battles do you find yourself constantly fighting?
What do you do when you’re out of bullets, missiles, and flares? What would it mean for you to eject from the battle?
More info
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Edited and mixed by Grayson Foster (https://graysonfoster.com/)
Logo and episode templates by Ian Johnston (https://ianhjohnston.com/)
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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