Facing The Giants

So, I finally got around to watching the movie half my family is raving about, Facing the Giants. I expected it to be fully of cheesy acting and a predictable story line. And, it was. BUT, none of that stopped me from being completely moved to tears as the plot climaxed. You see, this movie isn't about a coach or a football team. It's about God, the invisible actor in the drama of all our lives, and the reason I think this movie works is that God plays Himself. The story is way too unbelieveable unless magnificent, sovereign God is the story writer, unless He truly is over and above all things, and the lessons of our lives: the football games, parental confrontations, opportunities for moral failure, longings to have children, and anything else that crosses our paths in a didactic manner are ultimately about our relationship with Him, His glory manifest in our lives. Then, and only then, is this one of the best films I've given my time to in a very long time.
My favorite scene takes place between Coach Taylor and the man who comes by the school each week to pray for the students by walking the halls and running his hand over their lockers, Mr. Bridges. Mr. Bridges tells Coach Taylor the story of two farmers who are both praying for rain. Even though both have prayed for rain, only one farmer goes out and prepares his land to receive the rain.
A couple of weeks ago, my attention was focused on I John 5:14-15 which says, "And this is the confidence we have in approaching God, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked of Him." So, as I look at my prayer list, at the things I most long to see the Lord accomplish in my life as well as in the lives of my loved ones, I ask myself, "If I know this is request is according to God's will, then how am I 'preparing for rain?'" How am I waiting, not just in anticipation, but with expectation?