When I think about miracles, I find it hard to see them in my life. Miracles in the Bible always seemed momentous: mountains moving, seas opening to allow people to safely pass while drowning their enemies when they try to pursue. Or even smaller miracles of healing and changing water to wine. So when someone references a miracle, I wonder, how many lives were saved? When I lost my job and God granted me a new job when we had just purchased a new home, was it miraculous? Perhaps.
In this context, I thought about what was going on in my life lately, and something came to mind.
In the last year, I have participated in two book studies where we talked about race. These books and discussions put race in the forefront of my mind and this view of the black experience caused me to reflect on the movie The Black Panther and I thought, what a great time for it to come out!
I have been a comic book fan from way back. I have always enjoyed them--the stories of Superman and Spiderman, Peter Parker and Clark Kent. But these heroes were white. I could easily relate to them and their experience. When The Black Panther came out, depicting black culture, the experience of a black hero and an almost all black cast, I was very excited.
Was it a miracle?
Well, no, not really. It was God’s children using their God-given gifts of intelligence and creativity to make something fun and spectacular. I took my nephew to the movie and we both were blown away. Characters ranging from moral to not-so-moral, revealed in fully fleshed-out three-dimensional stories. Led by the performance of a dashing, handsome, humble, and truly amazing actor, Chadwick Boseman.
Was this a miracle?
Not necessarily, although, in one interview Chadwick states that he had been praying for this part since he heard that the movie was happening. Was it a gift from God? Chadwick was quoted as saying, “When God has something for you, it doesn’t matter who stands against it.”
And then, earlier this year, I heard about Chadwick Boseman passing away. He was just 43 years old and died from cancer that had been discovered in 2016. He had filmed four movies playing an action superhero while fighting cancer. I can’t imagine how much pain and struggle he endured while working so hard on these films, and fighting stage III cancer. And he remained positive, humble, and inspiring – a reflection of the character he portrayed. Humble. Inspiring. Inclusive. Loving.
Was this a miracle?
For him to play such an inspiring part in such an inspiring movie at a time when we need heroes, even fictional ones, to look up to—and both the Black Panther and Chadwick Boseman are heroes--I would say that this was miraculous. Not the seas parting for Moses perhaps, but somewhat of a pillar of fire for people to follow. Not manna from Heaven, but something to feed us spiritually.
Art can be fun and entertaining and moving, but some artistic expressions come together to inspire something greater. I believe The Black Panther is such a film. That Chadwick Boseman was able to complete the filming of these movies and see the inspiration they have been for people across the world was awesome.
His passing is a tragedy in this year of tragedies. That he was able to give us his performance as the Black Panther and King T’Challa before he left us, was miraculous.
Rest In Power, Chadwick Boseman
Wakanda Forever
About the Author
Mark lives in Oregon with his lovely wife, Darla and enjoys reading, writing, playing games and working to make the world a better place. He currently serves CitySalt church as a sound engineer and on the church council.