Okay before anyone starts freaking out about my headline, let's clarify something. There have been, are, and will continue to be many talented actors and actresses, and I am not saying that Chris Pratt's inherent acting ability is stronger than theirs. When it comes to pure acting, he definitely gets type casted often, and it's weird seeing him play more serious roles, like Owen in the Jurassic World franchise. He seems to fit roles like Andy Dwyer in Parks and Recreation, Emmett in The Lego Movie, and Peter Quill in Guardians of the Galaxy far more often.
What I'm saying is that unlike much of Hollywood today, he is a Christian unafraid to speak up about his faith. In his acceptance speech at the MTV Awards last June, he gave us all nine rules for life that perfectly characterize his personality and that everyone should take to heart. A perfect blend of humor and heart, he flip flops from practical, although humorous, advice to serious advice for the heart and soul. His delivery is part of what makes it great, so I highly recommend watching the video here.
Here are his nine rules:
- Breathe, if you don't you will suffocate.
- You have a soul, be careful with it.
- Don't be a turd. If you're strong be a protector, and if you're smart be a humble influencer. Strength and intelligence can be weapons. Do not wield them against the weak; that makes you a bully. Be bigger than that!
- When giving a dog medicine, put the medicine in a little piece of hamburger and they won't even know they're eating medicine.
- Doesn't matter what it is, earn it. A good deed, reach out to someone in pain, be of service, it feels good and it's good for your soul.
- God is real. God loves you. God wants the best for you. Believe that, I do.
- How to poop at a party: Pee first, poop, flush and you're done! (Paraphrased)
- Learn to pray. It's easy, and it's so good for your soul.
- Nobody is perfect. People are going to tell you you're perfect just the way you are. You are not! You are imperfect! You always be, but there is a powerful force that designed you that way. If you except that, you will have grace, and grace is a gift.
Chris Pratt is what many would call young at heart, which is not seen nearly enough these days! He uses his fame in a positive way and follows his "nine rules" well. What many of us do not know is the story of how Pratt came to be a born-again Christian. In an interview with Relevant magazine, Pratt tells his story.
"I was sitting outside a grocery store … And a guy named Henry came up and recognized something in me that needed to be saved. He asked what I was doing that night, and I was honest. I said, 'My friend's inside buying me alcohol.' 'You going to go party?' he asked. 'Yeah.' 'Drink and do drugs? Meet girls, fornication?' I was like, 'I hope so' … It should've made me nervous but didn't. I said, 'Why are you asking?' He said, 'Jesus told me to talk to you . . .' At that moment I was like, I think I have to go with this guy. He took me to church. Over the next few days, I surprised my friends by declaring that I was going to change my life."
Pratt's story is one that many of us could relate to, in his shoes. How many of us would do what Henry did though? How many of us would have the guts to go up to a total stranger and tell them about our faith and offer to help them? In a broken world, it's time that we started living out the faith we claim to have, and having rules for own lives. We may not follow all of Pratt's rules, but that's okay. There are other ways to give a dog medicine. What really matters here is that as the next generation rises up into the adult world, we strive to make the world a better place. Thank you Chris Pratt, for giving us a role model to look up to, and reminding us that someone can both be serious and have a sense of humor.
