Rambo

It can be easy to forget that Rambo was not just an action movie; it was a movie about the psychological issues a Vietnam vet was going through. It was not a pro-Vietnam War movie; it was a pro-Vietnam Vet movie. Only Rambo was such a good warrior and was such a psychologically damaged vet that he was practically autistic, or like an idiot savant, only in weapons and warfare instead of with numbers like the character like one in Rainman. The last sequel was the resolution for Rambo, who saw something of himself in the mercenaries hired by the missionaries and whom he was transporting into the jungle of Burma.

Yet, at the end he saw the female missionary, and she saw him. She, a pacifist, saw the value of a warrior who could protect her and those doing God's work from the most wicked. But he saw the woman and the Christian missionaries whom he was defending. His life was redeemed. She saw the calling and purpose of the warrior, and he saw that his work as a warrior had purpose, not just any purpose but God's purpose. And he went home . . . healed by the knowledge that his talent for fighting was not worthless. He was not worthless. In a sense, he had come full circle. Like any young man, Rambo probably had a vision early in his life of doing something with purpose in life, perhaps even something for God. Yet, he saw it crumble to dust before his eyes. His resurrection as a guardian for God's servants was the ultimate validation of his life. And so it will be for those who persevere in faith.