I have put off watching the movie Slum Dog Millionaire for a long time now. It is not because of the reviews or that fact that I rarely like foreign films. I have heard nothing but rave reviews of the movie. I have friends who have lived and worked in India for years and they said that it was a very real account of life there. I have simply not wanted to watch it because it would force me to look deep into myself and examine places that I like to keep, well, unexamined. Things like attitudes, motives, the way that I spent my time, energy, and money, and my attitude toward the poor.
You can watch a movie like Slum Dog Millionaire and do one of two things: first, say something like, "Wow! Praise God that I was not born in a situation like that, or secondly, wrestle with why you were not born in a situation like that. I tend to fall into the second category. Now, if like me, you fall into the second category, then you have to do some soul searching and come to some conclusions. If I was not born into a situation like those children in Slum Dog, then what is my responsibility toward those who were? What was it that Jesus said, "To whom much is given, much is required. (Luke 12:48)" What is required of me? Why was I given much (if you are reading this and come from a Western nation, you were given much too)? How do I respond to those who were not given much?
I watched the movie, now I am wrestling. It is a good wrestle, the kind that I need from time to time. If you have not seen the movie, pray about it, and if you feel like a good wrestle with your soul, watch it. I pray that it impacts you the way that it has me. If you need a good first hand look at life for the majority of the world I will tell you what Mother Theresa told everyone who wanted to know what was going on in Calcutta, "Come and see." Our doors are always open, we will make a spot for you and you can see what God sees in millions of lives around the world every second of the day.
