I recently went to watch the movie "McFarland" and let me say if you have not seen this movie, its well worth the $10 ticket. McFarland is based on a true story about a coach who was fired from one job and the only job he could find was in McFarland. Set in the 1980's, McFarland, California is home to a largely Latino population who are employed as "pickers" for the agricultural crops. These students at McFarland High School wake up at 4:30 am to go to the fields before school and then return to the fields after school. Since they do not have transportation, they rely on running to get from place to place. Coach White or Blanco notices these boys are extremely talented and creates a track team that later wins a state championship. The entire story is will put tears in your eyes.
"I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." Phillippian 4:13
Part of what makes this movie so great is the number of times you see these seven cross country teammates pray and the role that Christ plays in their lives. Before the meets, these boys would engage in prayer. After they won their first meet, they all knelt in prayer. Wow.... how often do we as adults pray before our meals out in public or go to prayer when something great happens? We might silently in our minds go to prayer, but how often do we outwardly allow others to see the emphasis our faith plays in our lives. These boys knew the role that He played in their lives, and were not afraid to let all the other teams, coaches, and fans see their outward devotion to their faith.
"Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has great reward." Hebrews 10:35
At many points throughout the movie you notice the obstacles that stand in the way. At one point, Coach asks the boys did they have any running shoes to which he got a reply of "these are our running shoes, church shoes, school shoes, work shoes...." These boys had one pair of shoes that served the purpose of their meeting their every need and most of all they were content. At their first meet, they lost; however, Coach White explained to them that it was his fault they lost and he knew what they needed to practice to win. He continuously throughout the entire movie motivates them often emphasizing that no other team are the workers that these boys are, and they have more heart than any other player he has ever coached. One of the individuals is not your typical cross country runner. Danny Diaz is overweight but never gives up. At the state championship, one of his teammates started off too quickly and fell further behind. Danny knew that in order for the team to win he would need to push harder and he did just that. The boy who had typically finished last on the team in every race and every practice, finished fifth on the team and ahead of many of the opposing runners. It was because of him that McFarland won the state championship. His confidence in himself helped him persevere to achieve something that had never been done before.
"And let us not grow weary of doing good for in due season, we will reap, if we do not give up." -Galatians 6:9
After that season, Coach White was offered a job at an elite high school that would have not only increased his salary but it would have been at a top of the line training facility. He turned down this position because of the way this town and the people made him feel. The town was appreciative that he had given something good to these youth. These seven boys, whose parents had not went past ninth grade, all went to college. But what is so great, all but one returned to McFarland to help make a difference in their hometown. The one is a writer for the Los Angeles Times. The others became police officers, teachers, counselors, city directors, and still return to help the cross country team. Today even after retirement, Coach White still lives in McFarland. However, Coach White is not the hero of the movie, I truly believe these seven boys are the true heroes. These boys were "supposed" to become pickers. But because of their dreams and the support of the community, these seven who had strong faith achieved greatness. Coach White realized that sometimes the best rewards are not the ones connected to money or top of the line facilities.
Let us all remember to do good for others, not for our personal rewards, but knowing that we may not know the difference we might make. I am always impressed when I see a family praying at a restaurant or before they sit down to eat a meal at home. When we are confident in our faith, we not only influence others but we are showing that faith is important in our lives. Allow us to have the confidence these seven youth had and start our own dreams influencing others.
As always thanks for reading! Go see McFarland, I PROMISE you will not be disappointed and don't forget to take your tissues!