Surprisingly, the film addresses the meaning of life and encourages believers to step outside their comfort zones of self-promotion. Coach Grant Taylor (Alex Kendrick) fails time and again to achieve success according to his own and others' standards. Only when he hits bottom and turns his life over to God's use does he experience anything meaningful and successful. That doesn't sound like too complicated a spiritual truth, does it? Well, maybe not in theory, but in practice, most people never go there. Those that do, experience the unmistakable work of God in their lives - on both a small and large scale. Like Coach Taylor, they see and live out things that are absolutely surreal (like the student revival meeting on the football field). Ask anyone who has had a true life change as a result of their faith in Jesus and you'll be amazed at the stories they have to tell.

The ending initially seemed a little hokey since Coach Taylor received everything he ever wanted. But as I thought about it more, I couldn't deny the truth behind it. All I had to do was look at my own life and the many, many ways God has met my needs and unspoken desires through the years. Not only has he met, but he has exceeded most of them on a regular basis. This is also true of the lives of my dearest, most faith-driven friends. There definitely seems to be a link between glorifying God over self and experiencing a full, redeemed life. Oh, that's right - it's a promise from God, right there in the Bible..."Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up." I'm not saying life won't have its trials, but I am saying there's a principle in the Bible and in this movie that's worth giving some thought. Maybe success is neither defined nor achieved in the ways we tend to think.

In the end, this film left me with mixed emotions. Its direct, unfiltered Christian messages coupled with a predictable plot progression make the film seem like it belongs less on the silver screen than in the church recreation center on a Saturday night. Nevertheless, the messages are so powerful and so true, I can't help but be excited that it actually opened in theaters this past weekend. After all, why keep a good life principle to yourself? Why hide it behind the confines of church walls? Why NOT pass on the good news of the promises of God? If one person's life is challenged and changed by this film, then I give it a resounding 10 - regardless of anything my movie critic mind might find wrong with it. Despite any shortcomings, it manages to tell the truth about God and what he can do in our simple little lives. And that's something we all need to hear.

"Tell me again, what's impossible with God?" - Coach Taylor, Facing the Giants