A few weeks ago, I saw a Christian documentary advertised on Facebook called Free Burma Rangers. I clicked over to the trailer and thought it looked like it would be good to go see. I went ahead and bought my family tickets.

Last night we went to see this movie. Little did I know I would see the most impactful and powerful film I have ever seen.

I cannot wait until this film is released so I can show it to everyone!

After the documentary was over I just wanted to sit there. Later, my wife asked me what I thought, and I couldn’t speak. I am still trying to process what I just saw.

The Story

In short, this is a story about a family who serve in Burma to show and share the love of Jesus with the ethnic minorities who are facing a genocidal government in a decades-long civil war. In the process, many of these tribal people have stepped forward to help.

Out of this group, they have formed the Free Burma Rangers. This group provides help in the form of medical care and spiritual support to those who have been displaced and targeted by the Burmese government. They also video document everything in order to get the word out about the atrocities that are occurring.

They have also been invited to serve in similar capacities in Iraq, Syria, and Sudan.

The Faith

This is what blew me away. After facing some of the most horrible things, this family continues to place their faith in Jesus and love people unconditionally. They didn’t just talk about it. They did it.

We have churches full of people who talk a good game but really do very little for the Kingdom. This is what I struggle with personally. Am I just spinning my wheels trying to mobilize people for missions, or do I head to the frontlines myself? When it comes down to it, am I all talk, too?

I know that one day I will stand before Jesus and give an account. What will I have to show for this one life I have to live?

A Fig Tree

This morning I was reading Luke 13 and came across this passage…

Luke 13:6-9

And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree that was planted in his vineyard. He came looking for fruit on it and found none. He told the vineyard worker, ‘Listen, for three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it even waste the soil?’

“But he replied to him, ‘Sir, leave it this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. Perhaps it will produce fruit next year, but if not, you can cut it down.’”

I am wondering if I am like that fig tree that hasn’t produced any fruit in years. As far as Kingdom work, am I only fit to be cut down for kindling? Am I wasting soil?

My heart has always been that I would be the most effective I can be for God’s Kingdom in this short life I have left to live. I am now left wondering if those are just words. I am realizing that my heart and life lack real faith.

My prayer is that God would leave me for another year, dig around me, and fertilize me to give me another chance to produce fruit.

Next Step

After watching this film, I am inspired to do something. I am still processing, and I’m not sure what that something is, but I do know that it would be a sin for me to do nothing.

When talking about faith, I always think back to the scene in Indiana Jones: The Last Crusade where he had to take a leap of faith. Indie was prepared to launch himself out into the unknown only to realize that it was just one small step.

I think in many cases faith is not necessarily the crazy leap off the cliff, but it is the daily, weekly, and even monthly small steps that we take to follow Jesus into an unknown yet fruitful future.

Conclusion

Watch this documentary! It just might be this generation’s End Of The Spear. The story of Jim Elliot and his team mobilized thousands for missions and continues until this day. I feel like Free Burma Rangers can have the same impact.