August 24, 2003

Calling All George Baileys

Well, it's Sunday night, and I am going through the usual let-down that follows a day of ministry.

I was in Dryden NY a couple of weeks ago, and saw the building that was supposedly the inspiration for the name George W. Bailey in the Frank Capra classic It's a Wonderful Life. Since then, I have been thinking alot about the film as I have traveled through the hills and dales of Upstate New York. I have gone through many towns, with names like Cortland, Homer, New Berlin, Smyrna, Sherburn, Norwich, Marathon, etc. Each one of them at one time, however, could have been called Bedford Falls. They were each at one time the type of town that inspired the fictional town in the movie (although a strong argument has been made that the actual inspiration was Seneca Falls, NY).

In the film the hero, George Bailey, has the rare privilege of seeing what life would have been like in Bedford Falls had he never been born. He is shown the sorry state of affairs in a town where he never existed.

This scene came back eerily to me today as I drove through the above-mentioned towns. It would appear that, for the most part, there have been no George Baileys to save them.

In today's world Baily-esque self-sacrifice is out, and Potter-esque indulgence and greed is in. Any number of social and cultural issues are brushed aside by the snide phrase "It's the economy, stupid." (Thanks alot, Bill Clinton) As a result, the Bedford Falls communites of our society are falling into ruin, lacking the love and sense of community it takes to maintain them.

Where did all the George Bailey's go? Perhaps they realized their dreams of greatness overseas. Perhaps they were taken in by Potter's offer of employment. I rather think, however, that in their hour of darkest need, there was nobody praying for them, so they simply drowned. The George Baileys of the world are often taken for granted.

George, if you are reading this, I cannot help but think that there are other like-minded souls out there who will stand up with you if you make your voice heard. Continue to fight the Potters, and those who by their complacency aid and abet him. Remember, you never know the influence one person can have.

Posted by Andrew on August 24, 2003 11:15 PM.