The story of True Grit is beautiful, whether you read it (Charles Portis) or watch it (1969 or 2010). The Coen brothers’ 2010 version includes a rich, underlying theme based upon Jesus as the Good Shepherd. They did it by incorporating a diverse medley of variations of the classic hymn, “Leaning On the Everlasting Arms”, throughout the film and by developing the character of Rooster Cogwright, played by Jeff Bridges. Of course, the story intrinsically lends itself to this idea, as well.

The hymn is based upon Deuteronomy 33:27, which is one line from Moses’ blessing over Israel (Moses was God’s first shepherd for his people to lead them to the Promised Land). Here, in greater context (Deuteronomy 33:26-29, ESV), the meaning becomes even more vivid:

“There is none like God, O Jeshurun, who rides through the heavens to your help, through the skies in his majesty.
The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms. And he thrust out the enemy before you and said, Destroy.
So Israel lived in safety, Jacob lived alone, in a land of grain and wine, whose heavens drop down dew.
Happy are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD, the shield of your help, and the sword of your triumph! Your enemies shall come fawning to you, and you shall tread upon their backs.”

“Leaning On the Everlasting Arms” (1887)
Words by Elijah A. Hoffman
Music by Anthony J. Showalter

What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.

Refrain:
Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.

Oh, how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
Oh, how bright the path grows from day to day,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.

What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the everlasting arms?
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.

All this to say that the story really inspires me to have “true grit” through the ebb and flow of life. This idea relates closely to a previous post on patience and passion. My heart breaks for the people of earthquake victims of Japan and Haiti, tornado victims in Alabama and Missouri, flood victims in many parts of the world, victims of violence and aggression, of extreme poverty, disease, malnutrition, lack of pure water and inadequate medical relief. I have friends with cancer, with no job, depression, experiencing the demise of their parents’ marriage and ultimately are confused about where they belong. I don’t have the answer, but I want so much for them to make it to the other side.

I do know that those who endure will have all the more “true grit” for it in the end. And this “true grit” truly is something special. It’s not some simple character trait that’s nice to possess if you can but dispensable otherwise. Not at all! It’s absolutely necessary in order to live for something bigger than you. How can this be? Just look at the one person who is the truest and grittiest of all. He’s endured the very wrath of God for the justice of God because of the love of God for all people. The true grit we may gain and display in this life is the likeness we share with our Creator God. He endured much to send his Son to take our place and rescue us. True grit, indeed! Now that inspires me and frees me to endure it all for his sake. “What a fellowship, what a joy divine, leaning on the everlasting arms…” See, that’s just it, our true grit really comes from True Grit himself, Jesus. So “stay calm and carry on”, leaning on the everlasting arms of our great God. Look to the sky, it’s Jesus, the Good Shepherd of our souls. He rides to our help and saves us.