It's a Wonerful Life

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore. These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city. (Hebrews 11:8-16 ESV).

It’s a Wonderful Life”, released on December 25, 1946 has become a classic film. It is actually a dark, bittersweet post-war tale of a savings-and-loan manager who struggles against a greedy banker and his own self-doubting nature in a small town. Earnest do-gooder George Bailey (James Stewart) recognizes his life as wonderful and truly rich, even in its humdrum and bleak nature. It is only after suffering many hardships, mishaps and fateful trials, including compromised dreams of youth to leave the town and seek fame and fortune, other sacrifices, dismay, losses and the threat of financial ruin, and suicide that he is given encouragement by a whimsical, endearing, trainee-angel named Clarence (Henry Travers). After George wishes he had never been born, Clarence shows him how many lives he has changed and impacted, and how they would be different if he was never there. We can say many things about life; however, “wonderful” is not one of them. In fact, Jesus promised his disciples a difficult life (cf. Matthew 8:20). The Scripture teaches us that life is a journey. From the call of Abraham to the exodus, to the exile, and even to Jesus’ great missionary mandate, God’s people are always on the move. Sometimes they travel as fugitives or prisoners, sometimes as ambassadors of God’s good news. In the book of Hebrews this journey metaphor can suggest the struggle against sin, or the quest for faith, or our final destination, this is the “city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God” (v. 10). In that place, God will give you peace. Your battle against sin will finally be won. Our journey is easier with this great hope as our focus. Sin and its terrible effects still discourage us. But this is one thing you can count on, God has a place for you where peace and joy never end! That city is for all God’s people, and it’s just around the next turn, at the end of the journey.