invictus.

i went to see the new movie invictus this weekend with some of my friends that i went to cape town with this past summer. if you're not familiar with the film, here's the synopsis from the website:

From director Clint Eastwood, “Invictus” tells the inspiring true story of how Nelson Mandela (Morgan Freeman) joined forces with the captain of South Africa’s rugby team, Francois Pienaar (Matt Damon), to help unite their country.
Newly elected President Mandela knows his nation remains racially and economically divided in the wake of apartheid. Believing he can bring his people together through the universal language of sport, Mandela rallies South Africa’s underdog rugby team as they make an unlikely run to the 1995 World Cup Championship match.

it was so neat to see shots of the the beautiful places and people of south africa that we had spent time with just 6 months ago...of course my favorite was the scene where the rugby team goes to one of the townships to do a clinic with the kids...so precious. and wow, morgan freeman does an incredible job playing nelson mandela. not to mention the messages of peace, unity, forgiveness, and reconciliation in the film are truly amazing,

but the words from the poem "invictus" (by william ernest henley) that mandela quotes to francois in the movie as "inspiration" require a second look. it's the same poem mandela says helped him survive the 27 years he was in prison on robin island. it's just crazy to me that those words were able to give him that much hope. i, too, often think i'm the master and captain of my own life...but then realize the burden that is far too great for me to handle. a sister poem was written to change the point of view towards hope in Christ. see the 2 side by side and the difference between a self-dependency and a dependency on the Lord...

INVICTUS William Ernest Henley

MY CAPTAIN Dorothea Day

Out of the night that covers me, Black as the Pit from pole to pole, I thank whatever gods may be For my unconquerable soul. In the fell clutch of circumstance I have not winced nor cried aloud. Under the bludgeonings of chance My head is bloody, but unbowed. Beyond this place of wrath and tears Looms but the Horror of the shade, And yet the menace of the years Finds and shall find me unafraid. It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul.

Out of the night that dazzles me, Bright as the sun from pole to pole, I thank the God I know to be For Christ the conqueror of my soul. Since His the sway of circumstance, I would not wince nor cry aloud. Under that rule which men call chance My head with joy is humbly bowed. Beyond this place of sin and tears That life with Him! And His the aid, Despite the menace of the years, Keeps, and shall keep me, unafraid. I have no fear, though strait the gate, He cleared from punishment the scroll. Christ is the Master of my fate, Christ is the Captain of my soul.