Hilary and I recently watched “Patriot’s Day” with Mark Wahlberg. The movie is based on the terrorist bombing at the finish line of the Boston Marathon in 2013 and is worth watching.
Early in the film, it’s clear that Mark Wahlberg’s character, Tommy, is under disciplinary action (or probation) as a Boston Police Officer. Because of his restricted status, Wahlberg is assigned to a low-ranking role at the famous marathon event—crowd-control at the finish line. Another cop tossed a yellow vest at Wahlberg and acknowledged that the position is an embarrassing assignment for Wahlberg’s character. That is, until the bomb goes off near the finish line. Then, it becomes clear that having Walhberg’s assignment was important for Boston… good for the crowd… helpful to the victims… and purposeful for the disgraced police officer.
He was embarrassed, but his position had a bigger purpose.
He was frustrated, but his assignment seemed to be a divine appointment.
The same thing happened to…
- Joseph
- Moses
- David
…And a millions of other leaders, all playing roles in a larger story. We only see in part. Embrace your role. Lean into the humility of your present circumstances. You never know how the tables turn.
“You plotted evil against me, but God turned it into good, in order to preserve the lives of many people who are alive today because of what happened.” -Genesis 50:50 (GNT)