Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2

Groot from Guardians of The Galaxy, Volume 2

My sister-in-law sent us Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 2 hoping I'd write something about the movie, so I'm obliging.



"Guardians of the Galaxy" is a team of Marvel Comic heroes; and Guardians - Volume 2 is the second movie that features this group of characters.

Guardians - Vol 2 is an action-packed movie, filled with fighting, explosions, and impossible-to-survive situations.   

But the opening scene, with '70s pop music, sets the tone for this to be an enjoyable and lighthearted story.  And I like how the music continues throughout the movie, and enhances the story.

In thinking about life and faith from a Guardians' framework, I gleaned two truths from the story.

My favorite movie quote, that best portrays the Guardians' relationship with each other, is:

All any of you do is yell at each other.  You're not friends.

You're right, we're family.

I laughed!  How true...at least for my family.  At home, with just family, the mask is off.  We're family, and we fight.  We're free to say what's on our mind, yell at each other, and know that we're still loved.  

I think there's a lesson here for the church too.  The church is not a group of friends with masks on - it's a family of believers, acknowledged sinners, with messy relationships.

The Guardian theme that I appreciate is the humor associated with the tree-like person named Groot.  Groot is 10-inches tall, and not too bright.  However, the movie has two scenes in which Groot is expected to be the hero and "save the day."  

For the final battle, Groot is entrusted with placing and arming the "killer" explosive.  This is a funny scene, in which one character, knowing Groot is their only hope, playfully says, "We're all going to die." 

But little Groot comes through, and the Guardians save the Galaxy.

In thinking of Groot and his mission, I'm reminded of Christians and the gospel message.  The gospel is meant to save the world and...

...is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes...Romans 1:16

And, just like the Guardians trusted Groot with the killer explosive, God has entrusted His power, His gospel, to us Christians.  

And we're just like Groot - small, weak, not too bright.  And we get it wrong, at least I do.  But somehow, it works.  God uses even weak me to love and bring the gospel to the hurting, to bring people into His family, His church.

...not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful...But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”                                  1 Corinthians 1:26-31