Actor No Dey Die for Film

In the immortal words of Brymo on MI2: “I be actor for this action film”!

This post was inspired by a message preached at my church (Waterbrook) on Dec. 15^th, 2019 titled Fearless Finish by Pst. Jerry Eze. For those of us that are fans of action movies and are also Nigerian, at some point in your life, you would have heard the phrase ‘actor no dey die for film, if actor die, film don finish’ (warning, this phrase was coined in the ‘90s (I think)); it simply means that as long as the actor is still alive, the film hasn’t ended. When you think back to one of the biggest blockbusters of the decade, Avengers, Tony Stark only died when the film was about to finish. Why? He still had a purpose to fulfill, a mission to complete.

Using this analogy, we are all actors (protagonists) in the movie called Life. And in this movie, just as in any movie we watch on TV, there are ups and downs, twists and turns, comedic situations, drama, horror etc. Despite all this, there is one constant, You, the actor! One man (who I can probably call the greatest actor of all time) that faced all these was Jesus Christ. He was born in a manger (Luke 2:7), grew up as the son of a carpenter in a town (Bethlehem) that was looked down on, stunned scholars at the synagogue at a young age (Luke 2:46-47) and was baptized by John the Baptist; a dove even descended on Him after He was baptized. His life was on the up and up until He was betrayed and bada bing bada boom, it took a downward spiral. Betrayed by Judas (Luke 22:47-48), denied by Peter (Luke 22:54-61), tried by Pontius Pilate, made to carry His cross to Calvary while people beat Him and spat on Him. Got to Calvary, had His hands and feet nailed (imagine the pain) to the cross and was made to wear a crown of thorns (Luke 23, John 19:2). This was as down as anyone can get. One minute He’s been hailed as the Son of God, had a crew of 12 disciples, next minute He was betrayed for money (how many of us have been there?) by one of His disciples (Matthew 26:14-15) and it was all down from there. Or so the devil thought! He thought that by killing Him, the movie of Redemption would end there. But like all action movies, actor no dey die for film! Just when you think the actor is dead, a hand reaches out from the rubble, you see some movement and BOOM! the actor pulls himself out, picks himself up, dusts himself, renews his strength and determination, goes after the bad guy and emerges victorious. When the devil thought he had killed Jesus, Jesus was just starting. Why? Jesus had a purpose to fulfill and until it was fulfilled, He couldn’t die or leave.

We all have a purpose in life and until we achieve that purpose, nothing life throws at you will kill you. It may make you sad, even knock you down but it will not kill you! Whenever you are knocked down or rejected, do like David, renew your strength in the Lord, get up and pursue the enemy (ISamuel 30:6-19). You will not only catch up, you will defeat the enemy and recover all. As we enter Christmas, the charge is simple, always remind yourself that you are the actor in your movie and all things work together for your good (Romans 8:28). You will emerge victorious!

Wish you a Merry Christmas

P.S.: Our final post for the year 2019 will be published on the 30th of December

Photo Cred: Avengers: Tony Stark