In about two weeks the girl who three months ago was sleeping right down the hall from me will be hitting the big screen. My dear friend Masey McLain only lived with me for six months but in that short amount of time I couldn’t help but be drawn to a friendship with her.
Before Masey moved in I was quite content with having only two roommates, in fact, I voted against allowing Masey to move in with us. Once she got there I fully intended on holding my opinion about being unhappy with her living in my apartment but that wasn’t the case and we became friends shortly thereafter. My hesitation towards change is a different story for another day but Masey McLain is my tangible proof that when I think I know what’s best for me, I don’t and God does.
Starting October 21st, we will all be given the opportunity to visit a local movie theater and watch Masey portray Rachel Scott in a Columbine shooting inspired film titled “I’m Not Ashamed." I have had the privilege of already viewing the movie and I can tell you, it’s not what you would expect. I grew up in the Church, which means I grew up watching the cheesy movies they played at youth group and for the church’s 'Family Movie Night.'
I even think my mom may have ordered some DVDs from the “Lifeway” catalog. The point is that I have seen my fair share of Christian films and this one is different. I’m not saying it is fully void of cheesy phrases or lines, there are a few as expected and several of them are shown in the trailer but this film brings a different level of insight into what real life looks like for believers.
Rachel Scott was the first person killed at Columbine High School and her life has been placed on public display because of the way she was living and the love she was showing others before she was killed.
At the start of the film I somewhat expected the character of Rachel to be someone I felt like I couldn’t relate to, but she wasn’t. In every person’s life, there are highs and lows and what many Christian stories or films miss is the depth of the lows. “I’m Not Ashamed” shows Rachel’s life through the highs and lows and accurately demonstrates that it is because of the lows in her life that she is the strongest spiritually and emotionally at the end of her life.
The film shows Rachel’s struggles with depression and her relationship with a guy who wanted her to give more physically than she felt comfortable with. The film shows that Rachel was someone worthy of being admired and looked up to but that didn’t mean her life wasn’t messy or hard.
The film not only features my lovely old roommate Masey McLain but also “Duck Dynasty” star Sadie Robertson. It will be released in 500 theaters across the nation on October 21st and I guarantee this a story worth watching and learning from.
