Difference between revisions of "Sermon for January 19th, 2025"
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The Outrun is based on the real-life memoirs of writer and biologist Amy Liptrot, and her struggles to overcome alcoholism. The film's central character is a young woman named Rona (a fictionalized version of Liptrot), who grew up in the Orkney Islands off the northern coast of Scotland. The film jumps back and forth in time between Rona's childhood in the Orkneys (where she and her mother struggle with her father's manic depression), Rona's young adulthood in London (where her alcoholism sends her life and her relationships into a downward spiral), and Rona's present life back in the Orkneys, after a stint in rehab, where she reconnects with her culture, her love of nature and the remote island landscapes, and as she continues her daily struggle to remain sober. | The Outrun is based on the real-life memoirs of writer and biologist Amy Liptrot, and her struggles to overcome alcoholism. The film's central character is a young woman named Rona (a fictionalized version of Liptrot), who grew up in the Orkney Islands off the northern coast of Scotland. The film jumps back and forth in time between Rona's childhood in the Orkneys (where she and her mother struggle with her father's manic depression), Rona's young adulthood in London (where her alcoholism sends her life and her relationships into a downward spiral), and Rona's present life back in the Orkneys, after a stint in rehab, where she reconnects with her culture, her love of nature and the remote island landscapes, and as she continues her daily struggle to remain sober. | ||
| − | ==== | + | ====Out Running==== |
| − | + | The title of the film and the book it's based on--The Outrun--is a Scottish farming term that refers to an outlying and unusable piece of land. It's far away from the farm, so you'd have to "run out" to get to it. But in the film, Rona is also trying to "outrun" her alcoholism--it chases her to ever more remote places, while she tries to staying a few paces ahead of it. | |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | There are countless bible verses about running--in his letter to the Corinthians, Paul compares Christians to athletes running a race. The prophet Elijah miraculously outruns the chariots of the king, and the Book of Isaiah says that those who trust in the Lord will run and not grow weary. | |
| − | + | ||
| + | The idea of running from our sinful nature is also a biblical one: In our scripture passage from Romans, Paul laments the fact that his spirit and his flesh are at war with one another--he wants to do what is good, but his body does what is bad. For Rona in the film, reconnecting with nature and her home has a delivering effect, but for Paul, deliverance comes from Jesus Christ alone. | ||
====A Mother's Prayers==== | ====A Mother's Prayers==== | ||
| − | + | Early in the film, we learn that Rona's mother is devoutly religious. She hosts young women at her house for Bible studies, and she prays for Rona--who is resistant to the idea, and to religion in general. | |
| − | ==== | + | *Film Clip - Prayer |
| − | * | + | |
| − | + | In the 4th century, Saint Augustine wrote in his spiritual autobiography (Confessions) about how his mother's constant prayer for him was instrumental to his salvation. Augustine--an atheist at the time--was on a downward spiral, and nothing his mother could do, no argument, no intervention had any effect. Her pastor counseled her to simply leave him alone, but to pray for him--telling her that "it is impossible that the son of so many tears should perish." When Augustine finally converted to his mother's faith, he became one of the greatest theologians and leaders in church history. | |
| − | *be | + | |
| + | Here's Rona again near the end of the film, after she has relapsed and stumbled drunkenly home to her mother: | ||
| + | |||
| + | *Film Clip - Relapse. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Immediately following this clip, Rona's life begins to transform for the better. She takes a job on the most remote and northerly island in the Orkneys, and spends a winter there in near solitude. Her mother comes to visit her, and they both make the cold (but invigorating) plunge into the ocean together, clearly reconciled to each other. Which leads me to our next theme: | ||
| + | |||
| + | ====The Cold Plunge==== | ||
| + | The first time Rona leaves her island cabin and walks down to the ocean, she wades in ankle deep, but almost immediately runs back out. Note the frantic techno music playing in her headphones on the walk down (it represents London and her mood, racing and running away from her inner demons). Note how it changes when she arrives at the water, replaced with the soundtrack of nature itself, the waves and the birds. | ||
| + | |||
| + | *Film Clip - Wading In | ||
| + | |||
| + | The second time she's wandering on the beach when the urge to have a drink comes over her suddenly, driving her to her knees and giving her flashbacks of traumatic experiences back in London. This time, she bathes her face in the cold ocean water. | ||
| + | |||
| + | *Film Clip - Second Wading | ||
| + | |||
| + | But the third time, she's ready. She's all in. Watch what happens: | ||
| + | |||
| + | *Film Clip - Immersion | ||
| + | |||
| + | This is a life transforming moment for Rona, a new life replacing the old. And of course we should all be reminded of baptism. In Romans 6, the Apostle Paul teaches that in the waters of baptism, we are buried with Christ, and with him we are raised to new life as well. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ====Udal Law==== | ||
| + | The last clip I want to show you is something akin to an epilogue, although it's not actually the very end of the film. But Rona has largely found her peace, her redemption, her new life, and she reflects on the process. As we see Rona and her mother take the cold plunge together, Rona references something called the Old Norse "Udal Law." Basically there aren't a lot of resources on remote islands, so things that wash up on the beach can be very valuable, and if it washes up on your land, it must be for you. | ||
| + | |||
| + | *Film Clip - Epilogue | ||
| + | |||
| + | There's a great theology in this, of course. Rona says that all things come from the ocean, and the ocean takes them back. Of course, we would say, "all things come from God, and God takes them back." Job 1:21--The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away; blessed be the name of the Lord. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Rona also says that the very best things that wash up on the beach are found after a gale, a storm. She is also speaking metaphorically--when we weather the storms of life, the hardship and suffering eventually turns into valuable experience, profound wisdom, and personal growth. Memories and experiences that may seem like garbage to be discarded become instead priceless treasures, teachings, and life lessons to those who have come through the storm. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ====Community==== | ||
| + | If you were paying attention at the very end of the clip, you may have noticed that Rona's isolated island was not so completely isolated after all. She, along with other islanders are waiting for a boat to come in, bringing more people to the island for a community festival. And it is at this point, having come through the storm, having spent time in isolation and reflection, having been reborn and renewed... that Rona begins to engage again with her community--a community that has quietly, consistently, and patiently supported her all through her journey of healing. | ||
| − | + | And that's important for us to remember, too. If we want to grow, we have to do the hard work, each of us, individually before God. But we cannot and should not do it alone. We were made to support each other in loving and compassionate community. And the compassion of the church, when it is fueled by the love of God, is one of the few things in this world that nobody can outrun. | |
Latest revision as of 02:48, 19 January 2025
Contents
Romans 7:21-25 (NT p.157)
21 So I find it to be a law that, when I want to do what is good, evil lies close at hand. 22 For I delight in the law of God in my inmost self, 23 but I see in my members another law at war with the law of my mind, making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. 24 Wretched person that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with my mind I am enslaved to the law of God, but with my flesh I am enslaved to the law of sin.
Faith & Film XIII: The Outrun
- Film Clip #1 - Trailer
Three Minute Film Summary
The Outrun is based on the real-life memoirs of writer and biologist Amy Liptrot, and her struggles to overcome alcoholism. The film's central character is a young woman named Rona (a fictionalized version of Liptrot), who grew up in the Orkney Islands off the northern coast of Scotland. The film jumps back and forth in time between Rona's childhood in the Orkneys (where she and her mother struggle with her father's manic depression), Rona's young adulthood in London (where her alcoholism sends her life and her relationships into a downward spiral), and Rona's present life back in the Orkneys, after a stint in rehab, where she reconnects with her culture, her love of nature and the remote island landscapes, and as she continues her daily struggle to remain sober.
Out Running
The title of the film and the book it's based on--The Outrun--is a Scottish farming term that refers to an outlying and unusable piece of land. It's far away from the farm, so you'd have to "run out" to get to it. But in the film, Rona is also trying to "outrun" her alcoholism--it chases her to ever more remote places, while she tries to staying a few paces ahead of it.
There are countless bible verses about running--in his letter to the Corinthians, Paul compares Christians to athletes running a race. The prophet Elijah miraculously outruns the chariots of the king, and the Book of Isaiah says that those who trust in the Lord will run and not grow weary.
The idea of running from our sinful nature is also a biblical one: In our scripture passage from Romans, Paul laments the fact that his spirit and his flesh are at war with one another--he wants to do what is good, but his body does what is bad. For Rona in the film, reconnecting with nature and her home has a delivering effect, but for Paul, deliverance comes from Jesus Christ alone.
A Mother's Prayers
Early in the film, we learn that Rona's mother is devoutly religious. She hosts young women at her house for Bible studies, and she prays for Rona--who is resistant to the idea, and to religion in general.
- Film Clip - Prayer
In the 4th century, Saint Augustine wrote in his spiritual autobiography (Confessions) about how his mother's constant prayer for him was instrumental to his salvation. Augustine--an atheist at the time--was on a downward spiral, and nothing his mother could do, no argument, no intervention had any effect. Her pastor counseled her to simply leave him alone, but to pray for him--telling her that "it is impossible that the son of so many tears should perish." When Augustine finally converted to his mother's faith, he became one of the greatest theologians and leaders in church history.
Here's Rona again near the end of the film, after she has relapsed and stumbled drunkenly home to her mother:
- Film Clip - Relapse.
Immediately following this clip, Rona's life begins to transform for the better. She takes a job on the most remote and northerly island in the Orkneys, and spends a winter there in near solitude. Her mother comes to visit her, and they both make the cold (but invigorating) plunge into the ocean together, clearly reconciled to each other. Which leads me to our next theme:
The Cold Plunge
The first time Rona leaves her island cabin and walks down to the ocean, she wades in ankle deep, but almost immediately runs back out. Note the frantic techno music playing in her headphones on the walk down (it represents London and her mood, racing and running away from her inner demons). Note how it changes when she arrives at the water, replaced with the soundtrack of nature itself, the waves and the birds.
- Film Clip - Wading In
The second time she's wandering on the beach when the urge to have a drink comes over her suddenly, driving her to her knees and giving her flashbacks of traumatic experiences back in London. This time, she bathes her face in the cold ocean water.
- Film Clip - Second Wading
But the third time, she's ready. She's all in. Watch what happens:
- Film Clip - Immersion
This is a life transforming moment for Rona, a new life replacing the old. And of course we should all be reminded of baptism. In Romans 6, the Apostle Paul teaches that in the waters of baptism, we are buried with Christ, and with him we are raised to new life as well.
Udal Law
The last clip I want to show you is something akin to an epilogue, although it's not actually the very end of the film. But Rona has largely found her peace, her redemption, her new life, and she reflects on the process. As we see Rona and her mother take the cold plunge together, Rona references something called the Old Norse "Udal Law." Basically there aren't a lot of resources on remote islands, so things that wash up on the beach can be very valuable, and if it washes up on your land, it must be for you.
- Film Clip - Epilogue
There's a great theology in this, of course. Rona says that all things come from the ocean, and the ocean takes them back. Of course, we would say, "all things come from God, and God takes them back." Job 1:21--The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away; blessed be the name of the Lord.
Rona also says that the very best things that wash up on the beach are found after a gale, a storm. She is also speaking metaphorically--when we weather the storms of life, the hardship and suffering eventually turns into valuable experience, profound wisdom, and personal growth. Memories and experiences that may seem like garbage to be discarded become instead priceless treasures, teachings, and life lessons to those who have come through the storm.
Community
If you were paying attention at the very end of the clip, you may have noticed that Rona's isolated island was not so completely isolated after all. She, along with other islanders are waiting for a boat to come in, bringing more people to the island for a community festival. And it is at this point, having come through the storm, having spent time in isolation and reflection, having been reborn and renewed... that Rona begins to engage again with her community--a community that has quietly, consistently, and patiently supported her all through her journey of healing.
And that's important for us to remember, too. If we want to grow, we have to do the hard work, each of us, individually before God. But we cannot and should not do it alone. We were made to support each other in loving and compassionate community. And the compassion of the church, when it is fueled by the love of God, is one of the few things in this world that nobody can outrun.
