Nachooooo Libreeeee

For those of you who know me, you know one of the things I love the most in this world is the movie Nacho Libre. If you haven't seen it, I implore you to watch it. The first time you watch it, you might not like it. I certainly didn't. In fact I first watched it in high school when it came it out and I hated it. But after a few years I randomly decided to watch it again and my life was changed. I can't say the movie literally changed my life but God did, and it was funny how it all happened at the same time. 
I am going to tell you a little bit of my testimony and how it pertains to Nacho Libre. Nacho Libre is about a Mexican friar whose name is Ignacio. Ever since he was young he had a dream and passion to be a great luchador (a Mexican wrestler). But since he was an orphan he grew up in a Catholic run orphanage where he became a cook in the kitchen. He continuously has this passion to become a great fighter, so he goes out and secretly tries to become a famous fighter. He must do it in secret because the Bible says, "Not to wrestle your neighbor..." It is so hilarious I am smiling to myself just thinking about all the one liners. 
Anyways, there is one scene in particular that really hit me when I was in college. Nacho is praying during mass, he prays "Gracious Father, why have you given me such a desire to wrestle but made me such a stinky warrior? Have I focused too much on my boots, and my fame, and my stretchy pants?" I felt exactly this way in college, I couldn't become a certified full time teacher because I couldn't pass a state exam we needed to enter into the College of Education. I was so upset with God because he had given me the desire to teach, it was a really hard time for me in my life and one day I watched this movie and I realized, I was Nacho. Nacho needed to realize he wasn't to fight for himself, for the fame or to be the best fighter in the whole world, but to help others. God opened my eyes to see that I was trying to create a cushion, a fall back plan if the missionary thing didn't work out. But it isn't about the fame or degree, it's about obedience. 
More recently God showed me something else. In the movie, Nacho goes to a "water gypsy" (I understand how silly this all sounds, but please trust me and watch it.) to get "eagle egg" powers so he can fight better in the ring. After he eats the eagle eggs, his partner tells him to "summon his eagle powers" when they are at a match. It's really funny. A few weeks ago I was really struggling with my identity and if I was really living a life worthy of the cross of Jesus. My friends were praying over me and God told me something. I saw a vision of an eagle flying over peaks and mountains, just soaring. God told me, "eagles don't question their identity, they don't worry about how to be an eagle, they just do it. They just fly and soar, they don't worry if they are "eagle enough". God told me to stop worrying if I am being "Ellie enough" he gave my passions and my personality for a reason, he made me who I am for a reason and I shouldn't worry if I am fulfilling his purposes so much. It isn't about what I can give to him, or how well I perform. I told my friends about what God told me and I started laughing. The line from Nacho Libre just kept running through my head to "summon my eagle powers" but now it has such a deeper meaning. I need to be Ellie, and not worry about being something else, an eagle glorifies his Creator by being an eagle, so I glorify my Creator by being who he created me to be.  
So yes, Nacho Libre has spoken to me on deep levels, much deeper than the creators of this movie probably ever thought possible. God is so good and patient. My prayer for all of you reading is that you can know the deepness of God's goodness and love for us all.   "The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love." Psalm 145:8