Who Are You
“The most fascinating person that I have never met; who are you?”
(Quote is from the movie, Flight)
That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; (Philippians 3:10)
The movie, Flight, which stars Denzel Washington as William "Whip" Whitaker Sr., is an alcoholic airline pilot who miraculously crash-lands his plane after a mechanical failure while saving nearly everyone on board except four passengers and two crew members. The last scene of the movie concludes when Whip’s son visits him in prison to interview his father for his (college admissions application) essay. After a warm greeting, despite their rocky relationship throughout the movie, his son confesses his thoughts with these words, I want to interview the most fascinating person that I’ve never met; who are you? The movie ends and now you must imagine how Whip unfolds his true affection toward his son as he expounds about himself.
Today, I challenge you to ask that same question, but don’t ask it of your father, grandfather, godfather, uncle, or father you wish you had. Ask this question to your heavenly Father who is your Creator. Such an in-depth question begins with, “How fascinating you are; although, I have never met you,” will open unchartered territory about yourself.
When the Apostle Paul writes Philippians, he plugs this letter with a few one-liners that we often quote to motivate ourselves. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthen me.” (Philippians 4:13) or Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 2:5) I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14) All of these one-liners are surprisingly motivational even if you are unaware of the content that he writes.
However, Paul informs us that he wants to know about the Father by stating “That I may know him.” (Philippians 3:10) Paul gets to know the Father from life experiences because when he writes this letter to the believers in the Philippines Church, he is actually in prison. Here is a man from our natural eyes seems that he has no hope. Hope disappears when you are locked up in a prison cell. Yet, Paul sees differently, he sees himself as one who encourages others by writing from experience about knowing the heavenly Father. In the movie, Whips loses everything including his family, yet the last scene unfolds a newly formed connection with his son which allows you to feel the warmth that knowledge and understanding will eventually resonate between the two of them from this conversation about who are you.
Likewise, Paul gives us a glimpse of what will happen when you know “who the Father is?” Remember when you know the Son, Jesus you will know the Father. So Paul identifies three actions that will appear in one’s life after you get to know your heavenly Father. First, knowing your Father will produce power, Paul describes it as resurrection power. Besides raising the dead, this power will break the natural chain associated with sin that often hinders our growth. Secondly, knowing God will create fellowship with Him especially when difficult times occur which he calls fellowship of his sufferings. Finally, Paul suggests one will maintain the ways of God resulting in a less selfish life style until the end by stating being made conformable unto his death.
Again picture the last scene of the movie, Flight. Then imagine what will Whip reveal about himself to his son. What affects will this revelation have on his son after writing this essay? Now, if a father can impact his son’s life, can you actually grasp the impact that your heavenly Father will have when you decide to ask Him, YOU are the most fascinating person that I have never met; who are you?
I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience his resurrection power, be a partner in his suffering, and go all the way with him to death itself. If there was any way to get in on the resurrection from the dead, I wanted to do it. (Philippians 3:10-11 MSG)
The lyrics below by Tasha Cobbs explains how you can KNOW your heavenly Father.