The Iron Giant: You Are What You Choose (Deuteronomy 30:19)

In the animated classic The Iron Giant, we meet a towering figure fashioned from cold metal, initially a weapon of destruction. Imagine for a moment the scene: a child named Hogarth, with wide eyes full of wonder and curiosity, stumbles upon this giant in the woods, a creature of nightmares for some. But Hogarth sees something different. He sees potential. He sees a friend. As they share laughter and adventures, Hogarth whispers words of truth to the Giant, “You are not a gun.”

In a world where the Giant was designed to be an instrument of fear, Hogarth’s simple message becomes profound: it’s not our origins that define us, but our choices. The Giant, who could have easily succumbed to his programming, begins to understand that he has the power to choose a different path, a path towards love and sacrifice.

In the film’s heart-wrenching climax, as chaos unfolds and violence looms, the Giant stands tall, faced with a choice that will define his very identity. In that moment, he risks everything—his own existence—to save a world that once feared him. He chooses to embody the essence of sacrifice and transforms into something entirely new, a symbol of hope soaring through the skies like Superman.

This echoes the words of Moses: “I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life.” Like the Iron Giant, we too are not bound by our past, our mistakes, or the labels others place upon us. We are defined by our choices. In every moment of decision, we can rise above our programming, embrace the gift of chesed—the faithful love of God—and choose not just life, but a life of purpose, transformation, and hope. What will you choose today?