Sever to Save

The film 127 Hours is about the heroic and extreme actions of avid mountaineer Aron Ralston experiences when trapped between boulders. Based on Aron’s real-life experience and autobiographical book, the movie recounts the events that led Aaron to sever his arm to save his life.

The story begins when Aron goes hiking at Utah’s Canyonlands National Park without telling anyone. Aron goes about his journey and comes upon a slot canyon in Bluejohn Canyon. During his ascent, a boulder he’s hanging from becomes dislodged, causing both him and the boulder to fall down the slot. In the process, the boulder traps his right arm against the wall.

Aron then tries to move the boulder to free his arm. Unfortunately, his attempts are futile as the boulder will not budge. Not long after, he realizes he’s alone and that no one will be looking for him. He begins recording a video diary with his camcorder while trying to chip away at the boulder with a pocket knife to boost his morale.

Over the next five days, Aron does his best to survive by rationing his food, keeping warm, and at one point drinking his urine when his water runs out. He also begins hallucinating about escape, relationships, and past experiences during this time. At one point, he manages to set up a pulley system in the hope of pulling himself out.

Finally, desperation sets in, and Aron realizes he must do the unimaginable. He plans and then proceeds to break the bones in his arm and slowly amputates it using the multi-tool. Eventually, Aron manages to free himself, gets out, and finds help.

This story is a graphic reminder of how ongoing sin in our life can trap us with potentially deadly results. Scripture tells that this situation is so severe that Jesus graphically tells his listeners it would be better to “cut off” what causes us to sin. Although not to be taken literally, the Bible conveys that we sometimes need to take drastic steps to sever what drives us to sin from our lives to save it.

Daily Directive:

Answer and Journal the Following

Read:

Matthew 5:28-30
But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. ²⁹ If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. ³⁰ And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.

Pray:

Pray for courage to be obedient to what God calls you to do.

Meditate / Make It Real:

Contemplate and meditate on or memorize the passage. What is God saying to you? Then, determine what you will do with what you’ve learned.

Share / Show:

Share and show what you’ve learned with someone else.