Perseverance & Peace: A Review of The Hill and Nightly Rest
- Dr. Layne McDonald
- 4 days ago
- 5 min read
There's something sacred about the evening hours. The world gets quieter. The demands of the day start to fade. And if we're intentional about it, we can find a peace that carries us through the night and into tomorrow.
Tonight, we're combining two things that feed the soul: an inspiring movie review and some gentle affirmations to help you rest well. Whether you're winding down after a long shift, sitting in a quiet living room after the kids are finally asleep, or just looking for something meaningful before bed, this one's for you.
Pastor Dr. Layne McDonald always reminds us here at Boundless Online Church that rest isn't laziness. It's holy. It's necessary. And it's a gift from God.
So grab your favorite blanket, maybe a cup of herbal tea, and let's talk about perseverance, fatherhood, and the beautiful timing of God, all through the lens of the powerful 2023 film, The Hill.
The Hill: A Story That Will Wreck You (In the Best Way)
If you haven't seen The Hill yet, put it on your list. Like, tonight. This biographical drama tells the true story of Rickey Hill, a young man born with a degenerative spinal disease who was told he'd never walk normally, let alone play sports.
But Rickey had a dream. He wanted to play baseball.
His father, James Hill, was a traveling preacher who believed God had a different plan for his son. The tension between Rickey's dream and his father's calling creates one of the most emotionally rich father-son dynamics you'll see on screen in a long time.
What makes this movie hit different is that it doesn't shy away from the hard stuff. Rickey
endures surgeries, rejection, pain, and the constant whisper that he's not good enough. His father struggles with his own limitations, wanting to protect his son while also wrestling with what it means to truly support him.
And yet, through it all, there's this thread of faith. Not the easy, everything-works-out faith. The gritty, holding-on-by-your-fingernails kind of faith.
Three Themes That Stick With You
1. Perseverance Isn't Pretty, But It's Powerful
Rickey Hill didn't have a smooth path. He had leg braces, skeptics, and a body that didn't cooperate with his heart's desire. But he kept swinging.
There's a moment in the film where you realize: this kid isn't just fighting for baseball. He's fighting for the right to dream. To believe that God placed something inside him that matters.
How many of us have felt that? Like there's something burning inside us that the world keeps trying to snuff out?
Perseverance says: Keep going anyway.
2. Fatherhood Is Messy and Beautiful
James Hill isn't a perfect father in this movie. He makes mistakes. He's overprotective. He doesn't always listen. But here's the thing, he shows up. Again and again.
There's a redemption arc in their relationship that will have you reaching for tissues. It reminds us that being a parent (or a mentor, or a friend) isn't about perfection. It's about presence.
Pastor Dr. Layne McDonald often says, "God doesn't ask us to be perfect parents. He asks us to be present ones." This movie is a living illustration of that truth.
3. God's Timing Is Not Our Timing, And That's Okay
Perhaps the most powerful theme in The Hill is God's timing. Rickey didn't get his shot at the major leagues when he expected it. Doors closed. Opportunities passed. But the dream never died.
And when the moment finally came? It was clear that every delay, every detour, every disappointment had been shaping him for that exact moment.
If you're in a season of waiting right now, waiting for healing, for breakthrough, for clarity, let this movie remind you: God is not slow. He's strategic.
A Biblical Affirmation for Perseverance
Before we move into our evening peace segment, let's anchor ourselves in truth:
"I am not defined by my limitations. I am defined by the God who created me with purpose. His timing is perfect, and His strength is made complete in my weakness. I will persevere because He perseveres with me."
Write that down. Say it out loud. Let it sink into your spirit.
Evening Peace: Affirmations to Quiet Your Mind Before Sleep
Now let's shift gears. The movie is powerful, but the night is calling. And before you close your eyes, we want to help you release the weight of the day and rest in God's peace.
Here's our anchor verse for tonight:
"In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety." : Psalm 4:8 (NIV)
This verse is a gift. It reminds us that our safety: our peace: isn't dependent on circumstances. It's dependent on Him.
Five Nightly Affirmations for Peaceful Rest
Read these slowly. Breathe deeply between each one. Let them settle.
1. I release today's worries into God's hands.
Whatever didn't get done, whatever went wrong, whatever still feels unresolved: I surrender it. Tomorrow is a new mercy.
2. I am loved beyond measure.
Not because of what I accomplished today, but because of who God says I am. His child. His beloved. Never forgotten. Never alone.
3. My body deserves rest, and I give it permission to heal.
Sleep is not a luxury. It's a necessity. My body was designed for rhythms of work and rest, and tonight, I honor the rest.
4. I trust God's plan for tomorrow.
I don't need to solve everything tonight. I don't need to have all the answers. God is already in tomorrow, preparing the way.
5. I am safe in His presence.
No matter what's happening in the world, no matter what uncertainties loom: I dwell in safety because He is with me.
A Word from Pastor Dr. Layne McDonald
Pastor Dr. Layne McDonald wants you to know something tonight:
"Friend, you've made it through another day. That's not nothing. Whether today was full of victories or full of struggles, you're still here. And God is still good. Rest tonight knowing that you're part of a family that loves you: a Boundless family that spans the globe. You are never forgotten, never alone, and deeply loved by God. Sweet dreams."
Make Tonight Count
Before you drift off, consider this: The Hill reminds us that our stories aren't over. The setbacks, the waiting, the pain: they're all part of a bigger narrative that God is writing.
And Psalm 4:8 reminds us that we can rest in that truth. We don't have to figure it all out. We just have to trust.
If you're looking for a community that will walk with you through the perseverance and the peace: you've found it. Boundless Online Church is here for you 24/7. Whether you need a late-night prayer, a small group to join, or just someone to listen, we're here.
Join the loving community at: www.boundlessonlinechurch.org
Membership is always free. You're always welcome. And you're never alone.
Your Nightly Prayer
Lord, thank You for this day: the good and the hard. Thank You for stories like Rickey Hill's that remind me to keep going. Thank You for the promise of Psalm 4:8 that I can sleep in peace because You are my safety. Quiet my mind tonight. Restore my body. And wake me with fresh hope for tomorrow. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Sleep well, Boundless family. We'll see you in the morning.
AI 24/7 Assistant: 1-901-668-5380 Boundless Phone: 1-901-213-7341 FA Memphis: 1-901-843-8600 lmcdonald@famemphis.net - www.boundlessonlinechurch.org
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