Actions Speak Louder Than Words
Actions speak louder than words. This is a true statement. Jamie Dean, an author of World Magazine, wrote an article concerning The Reaping and its effects on the director, Stephen Hopkins, concerning Christianity. His movie was filmed in small town, rural, Louisiana where he was surrounded by Christians. He considdered himself “’very spiritual’ but not a Christian” and he seemed to dislike what he saw in Christianity. He “listened to radio evangelists who promised prosperity to those who sent money. Communities were ‘very pro-George Bush, very right-wing,’ and narrow news coverage made it ‘hard to get a hold of information’ (Dean, 26).”
It was not until Hopkins saw these people put their so-called faith into action in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina that he truly respected and genuinely liked them. “But while Hopkins learned to take Christians more seriously, the filmmaker didn’t learn to take God more seriously. When asked about his thoughts on the God of the Bible, he replied: ‘The Old Testament deities were a different kettle of fish’ (Dean, 26).” Although he has created a film based on Biblical accounts of the Egyptian Plagues, he doesn’t embrace Christianity as truth. The one thing that did change his thought was the people’s reaction to the need in Louisiana during that crisis.
Even though Biblical history is gripping, it doesn’t always reveal the love of God as well as a personal one on one act of love and kindness. God expects us to show his love and through that witness he can use us (as Christians) to bring others closer to himself. The townspeople in contact with director Hopkins did that by reaching out and giving their time and resources to those in need. Hopkins was touched by that and that is what made the impact; not the ten Egyptian plagues. Hopkins might someday see God’s greater plan. Possibly, the seed that was planted in his heart will grow into a strong root because of what he saw in those people’s lives. That way, the Biblical truth might be revealed to him and he could get a sense of the Might of God and his just judgments.
Dean, Jamie. Fearing Not (26-27). World Magazine. April 7, 2007.