Argo and the myth of heroism

Argo. Dramatic pacing, top notch acting, and a script to keep your heart pounding. I think it's brilliant fictionalized history. There, I said it (despite the media's fury at the minimization of Canadian involvement).

Leaving the historical debate aside, I think we need to first realize that Argo is portraying an aspect of the story that has not yet been told. Ben Affleck has said in interviews that he wants to celebrate this untold story of Tony Mendez, an American hero. So that leaves the interesting question: what is the story that Argo is telling? Is it the story of courageous heroism in going forward with an audaciously impossible plan? Is it making the ethical choice to rescue those who are trapped in society? Or is it perhaps the story of a man who dared to make a difference in the lives of six people? Maybe the story is none of those, or all of those. I leave that for you to decide as you watch the film

Watching Argo makes me realize that our post-modern culture is crying out for genuine heroes. Think of the recent "historical" movies portraying heroes: Abraham Lincoln in Lincoln, King George in The King's Speech, Jackie Robinson in 42. The myth of the hero is celebrated in our culture. Joseph Campbell, famous mythologist, says that a myth is a metaphor for a mystery beyond human comprehension that helps us understand some aspect of ourselves. In other words, the myth of the hero reflects something we desire or see in ourselves. In a world of spy heroes like James Bond and Jason Bourne, you'd think that Tony Mendez would be another gun-wielding assassin, and yet, he differs. The real life Mendez has said he hopes the movie will create a different trend and "make the CIA guy lovable." This is a reformed vision for the hero.

42 depicted a perseverant and passionate hero in Robinson 

even this enduring hero is changing in our culture

Affleck, playing Mendez in the film, does not come into Iran with an agenda of performing a heroic mission by himself, but comes to coach the six hostages to assume Canadian identities in order to escape together from Iran. instead of launching into an invincible killing spree a la James Bond style, Mendez puts his life on the line and walks with these people through the patrolled borders of the Iranian airport, despite his authorities telling him to abandon the plan and the people. There's something there about his willingness to be on the same level as the hostages, and to journey with them. In one scene, though the six are initially nervous and reluctant with the task, they ask for his help to coach them through their roles again. He is a hero that doesn't fight with his fists but with his head and heart, earning the trust of those he helps.

In that sense, I think the church has a lot to learn from Mendez. It seems the church has a myth of heroic evangelism where the hero is one that convinces a sinner of his or her sins, and converts them on the spot. I have been guilty of viewing myself as a hero, of essentially saying to 'sinners': "I'm perfect, and you're not. You need to become like me." I need to remind myself that the ultimate hero, Jesus, chose to become a friend of sinners. He ate with them (Mark 2:15-17), he valued them (Luke 7:36-50), and he asks us to love them just as he loves us (John 13:34-35).

Maybe, we need to be a coach like Mendez and walk with people in their broken situation instead of trying to drag them to meet our standards. Maybe, we need to celebrate with them like the Argo team does in the airplane once they leave the enemy territory. Maybe, instead of feeling like we all need to be a heroic evangelist who converts a multitude of sinners, Jesus calls us to be the kind of hero that comes alongside sinners, embracing them in their brokenness, and cheers them on as they encounter the true, saving hero, Jesus Christ. And maybe, that's why he calls us to make disciples for his kingdom.

This is our story

Ever since our engagement in May, I've been meaning to write the story of how we met. After a whirlwind month and a bit, it's a good time to write this down. I hope you enjoy =)

Boy Meets Girl

Anna and I met in January 2012 in Regent's "Soul of Ministry" class. We were placed in a small group of 5 for that class, which was reduced to 3, and we quickly got to know each other well. One week our friend could not attend and the two of us got to share about that week's subject on brokenness and suffering. After hearing Anna's story of selflessly serving children and youth in Korea, I felt something different about this girl, in her heart for God and his people.

In March I prayed fervently in seeking God's will because I found myself thinking more and more about this girl. I was unsure because I had been moving on from past brokenness with another girl, and I did not want to risk the same mistake of mistaking my own will for God's. Anna and I decided to go to Passion World Tour together with our friends, and it was there that God broke through into my praying process. Louie Giglio spoke on Luke 7, where Jesus touches the dead young man and says, "get up!" 
Louie asked us, "what are the seemingly impossible things in your life right now that Jesus wants to touch and say, 'get up!'"

The Awakening

I was struck by that question. That night I kept praying and seeking. The next day continued in prayer. Then God spoke. 

I came to realize that I had been living in fear, not in fear of rejection, but in fear of letting go of control over my life. If I were to step into a relationship, it would mean making myself vulnerable to Anna and completely trusting God. I had always been a control freak. Letting go of that control and making myself vulnerable to love someone, and be loved, was a scary thing because that was precisely the thing I could not do in the past. It seemed impossible, but God was telling me to get up and learn to love. I prayed to God then, sitting on my couch, that I would let go of my fear and trust him in leading Anna and me.

The week after Anna flew to Korea for two weeks for her brother's wedding. During that time, each time my iPhone message tone went off, I would rush to my phone hoping that it was her message. Indeed, we would message each other every day. When Anna returned for the last week at Regent, we decided to walk around UBC because I had promised to show her around campus. Minutes quickly turned into hours, and we spent 4 hours talking about our life dreams and passions. 

The First Date

The next Friday we went on our first date, with breakfast at Sophie's and then a walk around Granville Island. We sat down on a bench looking out at the water, and after chatting for a bit, I had to tell her how I felt about her and our future. My heart began to race a bit faster, and my mouth seemed to dry up. Finally, the words came, "Anna, I feel we really connect and I want to be clear with you about my intentions. Would you consider pursuing a relationship with me?"

She paused.

"Uh, let me get back to you."
What? My heart raced with fear and I felt like I had the wind knocked out of me. Anna, nervous and awkward, began to talk about random things like the boat that was in the water. I took a deep breath and prayed, "God, I let go of my fear and trust you." Then I asked Anna what she really meant, and the next blow came.

"You're nothing like what I wanted."
Wow, I was floored by this point. She quickly responded in saying that came out the wrong way. She meant that I was not the perfect checklist guy she had envisioned, but that she came to see we connect in very special ways. I won't forget the words that she uttered next, "there are long term relationships and short term relationships. If we want this to work out, I want to ask my family too because a relationship is more than just two people." I respected that response, and as I drove her back to Abbotsford, I got to share with her all that I had been processing and how God had been speaking in the past month.

Walking Together

The next Tuesday, after she had spoken with her family, I met with Anna in Abbotsford. On that calm, rainy day we took a walk around Mill Lake. Although trying to enjoy the walk and our conversation, butterflies were dancing in my stomach with anticipation. After a few minutes I could not bear it anymore and asked, "so, how did the conversation with your parents go?"

"Oh, it went very well!" Then, she slipped her hand into mine.

And in that moment, fiction became reality. We held on, talking about our lives together, and we have been holding on ever since, trusting that God is leading us to walk closer in him.

This is our story, but only the beginning, because it is continuing to be written by God.

Watch our proposal story in HD. Hope you like it =)
The photos will make a lot more sense after you watch the video!

My two friends Peter and Larissa were a big part of my prayer and preparation process! The bridge and "boat" behind us are the random stuff Anna talked about when she was nervous on that first date!