The Kite Runner

Last night I got free advanced screening passes to see the movie The Kite Runner. The movie is based on the novel by an Afghanistan American named Khaled Hoseeini. I have not read the book but the movie was captivating. It tells the story of two Afghan boys, one the son of a democratic leader in Kabul, while the other is the son of a house servant. The two boys are best friends at first, with the servant's son showing remarkable loyalty to the other boy. The setting of story is during the time of the fall of the Afghan Monarchy to the time of the occupancy of the Soviet Union, following a massive outflow of refugees to Pakistan and then to America, and lastly with the regime of the Taliban in control. It is an amazing story, I was moved throughout the whole movie. To see another culture at the brink of what appears to be birth pains leading to its demise, and how a father and son survive this ordeal. Also, to see how two close friends end their relationship in bitterness and strife, but to see restoration in the end (and not in the most likely of ways). I would suggest that all see this movie, mind you some scenes are a little uncomfortable to watch.

One thing that really got me thinking was how I as a friend has failed in may circumstance my friends. How we as people for our own selfish reasons, do not even try to restore peace to those we have hurt or turned our backs on. I do not know how many friends I have lost to my sinful attitude. If there is one thing that I admire in this movie, there was an apparent biblical principle mentioned (even though the movie is clearly told within a Muslim setting). The principle was that, settle your disputes as soon as possible so they do not fester and grow worse. In the context of that movie, the father told that to the son in a situation where he was filled with great anger. I am reminded of the passage, "do not let the sun go down while you are still angry" (Ephesians 4:26).

Many a times does confusion and strife cause conflict between people with the result of bitterness and anger between the two. Rather than solving the problem quickly, we take our time and allow our anger and rage grow, driven by pride and confusion a valued relationship slowly deteriorates. If there is division between friends or even with anyone else, solve it soon, clear up the confusion, before it leads to something much worse than anticipated.