The Karate Kid

A Lesson about the Ways and Workings of God

The Karate Kid

1984 by Delphi Films

Starring: Pat Morita as Mr. Miyagi

and Ralph Macchio as Daniel Larusso

*The Karate Kid is a good family movie, though there is fighting, confrontation and conflict. There is some mild profanity but nothing outrageous. The lessons and morals of the movie are about discipline, friendship, respect, loyalty and perseverance.

Daniel is a normal high school student being raised by a single Mom. He's being bullied by a pompous and arrogant classmate who is using his skills as a Karate student to reign terror on anyone who happens to catch his dislike. Daniel becomes a prime candidate for his cruelty.

Perhaps if he learns Karate himself, he can protect himself. He gives it a try but all he does is make matters worse --- he finds himself in a dangerous predicament --- until rescue comes.

Daniel is delivered from a beating at the hands of a Karate Class Gang from a new friend. An unassuming, small Japanese man named Mr. Miyagi.

Miyagi single-handedly whips the whole gang without really harming any of the bullies at all. He just embarrasses them. Those who have been only pretending at an art are shamed by a true Master.

Daniel is surprised, grateful and relieved to know that he now knows someone who can teach him how to defend himself.

With great reluctance, Mr. Miyagi agrees to teach Daniel the ancient martial art of Karate that he learned from his own Father.

Take a look at this first clip from the movie to see Daniel's first Karate Lesson.

  

It really looks more like washing and waxing Mr. Miyagi's car than a Karate Lesson. But Daniel is grateful to his deliverer and protector and owes him something for what Mr. Miyagi has done for him ---- so, wax on, wax off.

Karate Lesson number two seems to resemble sanding the floor or Mr. Miyagi's porch deck.

 

OK. So I'll "sand'a floor." Maybe we'll get to the real lesson after I get this chore done.

Karate Lesson number three is "paint'a fence."

 

Mr. Miyagi doesn't even have the decency to even show up for Karate Lesson number four --- "paint house."

Daniel's patience has worn very thin by now --- remember, he's still getting thrashed and bullied on a regular schedule. Embarrassed in front of his new girl friend -- humiliated in front of the whole school. And now he's being duped and taken advantage of by someone that he thought was sincerely offering to help him.

 

He can't pretend any more. He's hurt and angry. He's disappointed and disgusted. He's lost all respect for his benefactor. He thought that providence had presented him with an advocate --- a Father figure --- a fixer --- a friend.

He quits. He storms towards the door. He's done. Finished.

But Mr. Miyagi will not let him leave. He has to put it together for Daniel. Look at this last clip.

 

Daniel assumed that all that he was doing was serving Mr. Miyagi. How demeaning. How belittling. How humiliating.

Everything for the Master --- and nothing for the slave, the pupil, the student.

Who could have seen? Who could have known that Daniel was learning Karate . . . and much, much more.

He was learning Karate --- and he was getting stronger --- and being finely tuned and trained to grow and become a champion and most of all he as gaining character and patience. He was not just being prepared to beat someone up. He was being prepared for something more --- something better and of greater consequence.

Is God teaching you? Are you Learning?

I know that He is teaching you. Are you learning anything? Are you aware of it?

I mean the whole big picture, big lesson?

Don't you wish that God would just beat all of your bullies, defeat all of your foes? He can solve all your problems, resolve all of your conflicts, answer all of your prayers. Heal all of your diseases. Why doesn't He just do that?

Better yet . . . couldn't he just take you right to Heaven ---- right now?

The Karate Kid is a heart-warming, inspiring movie. It is entertaining and enjoyable but it also has a lesson for all of us. A moral.

Do you want to know the message that I got from God while watching this movie?

He said "Wax on, wax off. Sand my floors, paint my fence and my house. Do whatever I ask you to do --- without hesitation and without doubt and question." "Trust me." "Serve me."

"I have a plan for you --- it is my intention to do something good for you." (Jeremiah 29:11)

And here are the words that clinch this lesson for me --- and show me how to apply it --- how to live it -------- "Look eyes . . . . " "Always look eyes."

God does want you to bow to Him ---- but the main thing is ----- always keep your eyes on Him. Always.