Feb. 27: The Unexpected Road to God

“None of the characters went looking for God, but God found them,” said writer/director/producer Emilio Estevez about his Christopher Award-winning movie, The Way.

It tells the story of Tom, an American doctor whose son, Daniel, dies while on the historical pilgrimage called the Camino de Santiago in France and Spain.  Because of his strained relationship with Daniel, Tom decides to honor his memory by embarking on the pilgrimage himself.  Along the road, he’s joined by other travelers whose friendship he comes to value.

The film’s sense of community has a special resonance for Estevez.  He explained on Christopher Closeup, “One of the great salvations of my life is that I live very close to my parents. We talk daily. In this film, you have four pilgrims who are without family. Then they find each other.  They need community more than anything else…That is the biggest theme of the film. These people realize that what ultimately connects them is their humanity and brokenness.”

God created us to be in relationship with one another.  Be open to building new, healing friendships in your life.

Be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.

(Psalm 25:16)

Lead me toward fulfilling relationships, Lord.