Altruism is unselfish concern for the welfare of others. Even offscreen, it’s a quality we admire in others—the sacrificial actions of James Shaw Jr., who charged the gunman during the Nashville Waffle House shooting, come especially to mind. When the moment arrives for us to stand, we wonder if we’ll be able to stand and be the hero, too.
Groot doesn’t need to stop and think about his heroic actions; he embodies them. After all, he is a tree and trees are born heroes. Remember The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein or the Ents from Lord of the Rings? Their deep-rooted stability and steady growth provides shelter, inspires awe and encourages peaceful, quiet rest. At the conclusion of the first Guardians of the Galaxy, Groot wraps himself around his friends in a gesture of sacrificial strength, protecting them in the way only a tree can. Yet, he still inspires us to think about how we can give ourselves in the service of others.
Due to an apparent hardening of the larynx, Groot speaks little. He doesn’t use hateful language or fire off antagonistic social media posts. He allows his actions to speak for him. Whether he’s stealing the Anulax battery, dancing to Electric Light Orchestra or resuscitating Drax with his long twiggy finger, he silently goes about his business of saving the world. He’s a Proverbs 17:27 kind of creature: “The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint.” His quiet humility and concern for the welfare of others draws us into the reach of his ever extending branches. He gives us a fresh perspective on what virtuous, sacrificial service looks like.
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Source: Relevant Magazine
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