If you have seen the movie Unbroken, you know it is about an Olympic track star Louis Zamperini that became a solider and then a prisoner of war. I just finished his book The Devil At My Heels. It was the most inspiring book I have ever read. This man endured unbelievable hardship. As I finished the book, I sat in my comfortable chair and thought about the blessed life I have had. I thought of how blessed we are to live in the United States. I also thought of James 1:2 that says, “Consider it all joy when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.”
I realized that my trails are really nothing. This man, like the early disciples and Christians outside of the United States, faced persecution like we can not imagine. If we ever find ourselves in trials, James makes it clear that we should consider it JOY! I think I get it…James knew that most of us would never seek God unless we were in trouble. Most people never change until they are desperate. That is the rest of the story the movie failed to cover. In desperation, Louis gave his life to Christ at a Billy Graham crusade. Every American needs to read this book.
Mark Roberts
