I went to the Carolina Theater tonight and watched It’s a Wonderful Life with 1,000+ other people who knew the story well. I’ve been to the Carolina Theater several times over the last few years, and there is something truly special about watching this specific film in a packed house. When you’re surrounded by a crowd like that, you realize the story isn't just about George Bailey, it’s about all of us.
In case you don't know the plot: a businessman gets into deep trouble, feels there is no way out, and decides to end his life. But God sends an angel named Clarence to show George what the world would have looked like if he had never been born. Through that "what if" journey, George finally realizes that he really did have a wonderful life.
I see so many parallels between that story and our own lives today, and I think that’s why it remains such a beloved classic.
The Hidden Ripple Effect
The core of the movie, and the part that stuck with me tonight is the idea that each of us touches lives in ways we don’t even realize. George didn't think he was doing anything "monumental" by running a small-town business or helping a neighbor. He thought he was just getting by. But in God’s economy, there is no such thing as an "ordinary" person.
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Small gestures matter: A kind word or a helping hand creates a ripple effect that can change the trajectory of someone’s entire life.
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You are a catalyst: God uses us to touch others in big and small ways, often without us ever knowing the full impact.
Doing it Scared
One of the most relatable parts of George’s journey is his fear. He wasn’t a fearless superhero; he was a man who felt the weight of the world on his shoulders.
Many of us feel that way too often. We feel too overwhelmed or "too small" to be useful or to find a way out of our problems. But tonight reminded me that you can do God’s work even when you’re scared. Courage isn't the absence of fear; it’s surrendering that fear to God and letting Him use you anyway.
A Life Worth Living
When things get dark, it’s easy to believe the lie that our presence doesn't make a difference. But George’s story reminds us that when we surrender ourselves to God, He uses us in remarkable, often invisible ways.
If we could see our lives through "angel eyes" for just five minutes, we would see a web of connections and hearts touched just because we were here. Your life is not an accident. Even when you don’t see the fruit of your labor, you are part of a much bigger, more beautiful story.
Join the Conversation
Have you ever had a "George Bailey" moment? Maybe it was a time you felt discouraged, only to realize later that you made a huge difference in someone's life, or a time you saw God use you even when you were scared.
Please share your story in the comments below. I’d love to hear how God is working through you!
