HOPE CHANGES EVERYTHING
HOPE CHANGES EVERYTHING is three powerful words. To clarify, HOPE means a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen. In comparison, Biblical hope carries no doubt. Biblical hope is a sure foundation upon which we base our lives, believing that God always keeps His promises.
INSPIRATION
In the light of no official INSPIRATION written to showcase this song, we can conclude the unwritten inspiration is showcased in the lyrics. This song was written by Leonard Ahlstrom, Eddie Carswell, and Michael O’Brien. In effect, their obedience to that still small voice has reached our hearts. Which, I would say, was their inspiration.
OUR LYRICS JOURNEY BEGINS
To emphasize, lyrics are words combined to create an image, a feeling, an emotion with us. Therefore, as we listen to, and sing along, our hearts are touched by the LOVE OF GOD.
- Our lives were spinning in
- A hopeless situation
- Livin’ in a fallen world
- Without hope for change
- But heaven heard our cries
- And that’s why Jesus came
- Now it’s up to us to give His love away
[Psa 61:1 KJV] 1 [[To the chief Musician upon Neginah, [A Psalm] of David.] Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.
LIFT IT UP, HOLD IT HIGH
- Let’s take the hope of Christ
- Lift it up and hold it high
- Because hope changes everything
- Let’s take this faith we wear
- To hurting people everywhere
[1Co 16:13 KJV] 13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
Hope Changes Everything
[Hebrews 11:1 KJV] Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
- No matter how dark or troubled
- Someone’s life may seem
- I do believe with all my heart
- That hope changes everything
- Every time I see someone who’s feelin’ helpless
- Every time I hear another desperate plea
- I’m reminded of the place where He found me
- There’s no one that’s gone too far for Him to reach
[Rom 10:20 KJV] 20 But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me.
EVERLASTING HOPE
- God has placed inside of us an everlasting hope
- And it’s up to each of us to go
- Let’s take the hope of Christ
- Lift it up and hold it high
- Because hope changes everything
- Let’s take this faith we wear
- To hurting people everywhere
- Because hope changes everything
- No matter how dark or troubled
- Someone’s life may seem
- I do believe with all my heart
- That hope changes everything
- As long as there is life,
- There is hope.
- So repent before it’s too late
[Isa 40:31 NIV] 31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
In summary of these lyrics, I listened to this song continually as it inspired me to write this article. In so much as it has become one of my favorites.
AND HE DID IT AGAIN
In the final analysis, PRAYER is powerful. Thank you, Lord, for speaking your still small voice into my heart about this song and YOUR related movie. Both touched my heart on a personal basis.
In fact, as I shared in my article, BETWEEN THE PRAYER AND THE ANSWER, about a personal experience, this movie also touched my heart on a personal basis. In other words, I will share another piece of my heart for the lost and hurting.
WHERE HOPE GROWS
GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME. And, ALL THE TIME, GOD IS GOOD!
It is important to realize, that the purpose of this movie is to showcase RESTORATION in someone who has lost his way through alcohol. To emphasize, the “drink” entices and then destroys.
This movie showcases the world of disabilities with someone who has lost their way to unite and prevail!!!
Therefore, this inspiring movie shatters stereotypes of those with Down Syndrome and illustrates the power of friendship, love… and hope.
To summarize, Where Hope Grows tells the story of two men: one is afraid to embrace his lot in life and do something with himself, while the other has a dream and is working hard to chase it.
In other words, Calvin Campbell, a former Major League Baseball player, struggling with alcoholism and low self-worth, is connected by God’s Divine intervention to a Down Syndrome young man with a heart of LOVE.
Another key point to remember. This Divine intervention takes place in a grocery store. To be specific, in the produce section. While there to restock his liquor supply, Calvin meets “PRODUCE”, a young man with Down Syndrome and an infectiously positive attitude. In a moment, an unexpected friendship takes root. In fact, both men saw something in each other that they needed: HOPE.
Consequently, when a tragedy strikes, their lives are forever bound together.
DISABILITY and ALCOHOLISM
To explain, DISABILITY and ALCOHOLISM are two words that have been part of my life. To explain, I have a sister and my husband’s brother, who have Cerebral Palsy, and two parents who were ALCOHOLICS. Henceforth, these two words are personal to me.
All things considered In this movie, Down Syndrome is showcased.
To clarify, Down Syndrome is not a disease, it is a condition that showcases LOVE and ACCEPTANCE. In fact, I worked closely with Down Syndrome precious young adults as a DISABILITY ADVOCATE years ago. I was on the Board of REAP, Richmond Entrepreneur’s Assistance Program, which focused on finding employment opportunities for those with Down Syndrome. Ultimately, my life was changed by their outpouring of LOVE to me.
MY ASSIGNMENT
In essence, this “assignment” from GOD blessed my life beyond measure.
With this in mind, I want to clarify that Down Syndrome is usually associated with physical growth delays, mild to moderate intellectual disability, and characteristic facial features.
To emphasize, the main character of this movie, WHERE HOPE GROWS, is PRODUCE. He is a young man who works in a grocery store in the PRODUCE (his name tag) section. What makes him the STAR? He has Down syndrome. And his name throughout the movie is PRODUCE!!!
In fact, the movie brings to light the trials and tribulations that are common in our society today. In other words, we live in a fallen world where some people are not nice to those less fortunate. Especially, those who have a disability.
To enumerate, in life, there are also some dark sides of living without GOD in our lives. For this article, I want to showcase the POWER OF GOD in this movie and how he can use everyone to bring others to the saving GRACE of the CROSS.
“Where Hope Grows” David DeSanctis is the first actor with Down Syndrome to land a leading role in a wide-release movie.
GOD’s SCHEDULED MEETING
The first scene introduces Mr. Cambell (washed-out baseball player) and Produce (store employee)!
- PRODUCE: Hi, Mr. Cambell, how are you doing this afternoon?
- MR. CAMBELL: Fine, how are you?
- PRODUCE: I am DOING GOOD. Even when I am doing bad, I am DOING GOOD.
- MR. CAMBELL: That’s pretty deep.
- PRODUCE: Have a MAGNIFICENT day!
- MR. CAMBELL: You know what? I wasn’t being honest with you PRODUCE, I am not fine.
- PRODUCE: Are you sick?
- MR. CAMBELL: I don’t think so.
- PRODUCE: You just need to SMILE!!! A cheerful heart is like good medicine.
[Pro 17:22 KJV] 22 A merry heart doeth good [like] a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
AND THE CONVERSATION CONTINUES
- MR. CAMBELL: Where did you get that? A bumper sticker?
- PRODUCE: You told me I was smart, remember?
- MR. CAMBELL: Yeah!
- PRODUCE: Do you want to see how smart I am?
- MR. CAMBELL: Well, you know what, maybe another day …
- PRODUCE: Pick up that MELON. There are some numbers on it. I know the number on top of that melon > 4329!
- MR. CAMBELL: Yeah, 4329! That’s CORRECT! That’s impressive, PRODUCE.
- PRODUCE: He throws a PEAR at Mr. Cambell and quotes > 4422!
- MR. CAMBELL: That is correct. Pick up that BANANA. Everybody likes bananas> 4011!
With his intention to prove he was SMART, PRODUCE continues to quote the number of a basketful of fruit to impress Mr. CAMBELL with how smart he is.
- MR. CAMBELL: I’m really impressed! AND THEN…
A BIG BEAR HUG
As a result, PRODUCE gives MR. CAMBELL a BIG, BEAR HUG!!! This really caught the attention of MR. CAMBELL!!!
And then, the manager steps in and apologizes to MR. CAMBELL for PRODUCE’s behavior. He scolds PRODUCE about bothering MR. CAMBELL and tells him to get back to work.
Before MR. CAMBELL leaves, he turns around and says, “PRODUCE, I’m IMPRESSED!”
[1Th 5:11 NIV] 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
Notably, this scene speaks volumes about the personality of PRODUCE. In the opening scene of this movie, he is seen riding his bike to work with his BIBLE in the bike basket!!! As the movie progresses, the BIBLE is known as his BOOK.
To emphasize, as a Disability Advocate, those with Down Syndrome are lovable and kindhearted. They always put a smile on my face. Their endless JOY is evident in everything they do and speak.
With this in mind, I want to take you back to the statement MR. CAMBELL spoke to PRODUCE …
- MR. CAMBELL: You know what? I wasn’t being honest with you PRODUCE; I am not fine.
WHY WAS HE NOT FINE?
Given that he WAS a VERY SUCCESSFUL BASEBALL PLAYER, Calvin Cambell, FROZE up on the mount in a BASEBALL GAME in front of 4,000 people waiting for him to perform.
As a result of that moment in time, he went down a path that almost destroyed his life through alcohol.
[Pro 18:24 NIV] 24 One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Truly, GOD PREVAILED and sent PRODUCE into his life.
GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME. AND, ALL THE TIME, GOD IS GOOD.
In addition to PRODUCE proving he was SMART, he also had a desire to be recognized for his dedication and hard work.
With HOPE that he would be chosen as EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH, PRODUCE hungered for that title. In fact, he continued to be the BEST at what he did and never gave up hope.
But that never happened because of his Down Syndrome. Even though he was the hardest working employee at the store. Mr. Cambell saw it, but the manager did not.
[Psa 37:5 KJV] 5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring [it] to pass.
WHERE HOPE GROWS
MR. CAMBELL takes PRODUCE under his wing. In this scene, he is teaching him HOW TO PLAY BASEBALL using a MOP handle as his bat and fruit as the ball.
And PRODUCE continues to be taught by Mr. CAMBELL. This time DRIVING A CAR TO CHURCH!
RESULT OF THIS GOD MEETING
MR. CAMBELL and PRODUCE become unlikely LIFETIME FRIENDS. Each taught the other life-changing values.
The FINALE of this movie will shock you! RESTORATION and DREAMS REVEALED!
THEREFORE, Hope Changes Everything and Where Hope Grows, were a match made in heaven for this writer.
GOD KNOWS WHAT HE NEEDS US TO DO BEFORE WE DO. Each week I ask The Holy Spirit to guide me to what HE WANTS ME TO SHARE. AND, He never fails to provide.
In addition to these weekly worship song/movie matches, I share a WORSHIP/PRAYER TEXT. Monday with family and friends. By the way, they are now displayed under the PRAYER JOURNAL TAB of this website. Feel free to share them with everyone who needs PRAYER!!!
THANK YOU, LORD
In conclusion, once we give our HEART to GOD, He will direct our steps to reach the world for him.
Thank you, LORD, for connecting Star Bice and Nancy Carey on this mission to reach the world for YOU though YOUWILLWANTTO.COM!