I love me a good Disney movie. Don’t you? They make me laugh, hold me in suspense, and inevitably…cry. If it’s a really good movie, it’ll have my brain going in a thousand directions of how the story plot really moved me and how it applies to life.
A couple of years ago my bestie gave me the movie Moana as a birthday gift. I watched it and thought it was really good. But, it wasn’t until about a month ago when it was on tv, that it truly touched my heart. I know, I know, it’s just a movie and the characters aren’t real. But even though it’s an animated movie, there’s still lessons to be learned.
But, that’s kind of my thing. I’m always looking to learn something new. It’s kind of like finding hidden treasure when you have that “aha” moment. Or in my case, that crying moment. Ha!
I could probably write a really long post about the entire movie, but I’m gonna get to the heart of it. Moana, is the heroine of the movie and Te Fiti, is the reason we needed a heroine. Time for my personal spin on it. First, I would ask you to click the link and watch the video clip:
Ok, what did you just watch? You saw this angry, enraged, lava creature named Te Ka. You saw Moana who was fearful of the angry lava monster named Te Ka. And you saw Moana realizing the stone she was holding belonged to “Te Ka”. And really, that’s what I want to focus on here.
Te Ka was full of anger and anyone that came near her was subject to her venomous rage. But no one knew why Te Ka was so hateful. But then Moana saw the beautiful stone she was holding matched the design in the molten lava creatures chest. Having had that stone stolen from her made Te Ka into something she was not designed to be.
As soon as Moana held up the stone and it cast its beautiful light, Te Ka was drawn to it. She knew it belonged to her but Te Ka couldn’t cross the barrier of water. A path needed to be made in order for Te Ka to get to Moana. Dun, dun, dun.
Moana no longer fearing the enraged Te Ka, tells the water to let Te Ka come to her because she now knows that Te Ka is really Te Fiti. A path is made and Te Ka starts to cross the ocean floor as Moana walks to meet her as she sings:
I have crossed the horizon to find you
I know your name
They may have stolen the heart from inside you,
BUT this does not define you,
This is not who you are
You know who you are
Who you TRULY are
Te Ka’s anger subsides at the gentle words Moana sings to her. She’s seen, maybe for the first time since her “heart” had been stolen. Her demeanor softens as she allows a simple gesture of love in. Moana places the beautiful gem back where it belongs, the blackened molten lava falls away and the beautiful design of Te Fiti is revealed. Te Fiti is restored.
This is where I reach for all the Kleenex. Why? I’m so glad you asked. Let me ‘splain, she said in her best Ricky Ricardo voice.
You see, this may be a fictional story, but there is one who is shining His light for you to see. Now, don’t think I’m trying to compare Moana to Jesus. But since I’m a visual gal, let me try to show you what I saw.
Te Ka, angry, bitter, and lost without her source.
Me, as I would say, before Christ, angry, bitter, and lost without my Source
Te Ka, hungry to be seen, to be restored to who she was made to be
Me, again, before Christ, hungry to be seen, to be restored to who I was made to be
Moana said, “Let her come to me” and a path was made through the water
Jesus says, “Come to me,…” Matthew 11:28, the path was made when He sacrificed himself on the cross for all
Moana said: “I know your name”
Jesus says: “I have called you by name…” – Isaiah 43:1
I think you may see my point. Once Te Ka’s source was restored she was made whole. Te Fiti’s beauty once again shone through just as intended. But, she had to let go of the anger and the rage so that Moana could get close enough to do what needed to be done.
When I was drowning in sin, I couldn’t see my Source. All I saw was the mess I’d made. But, just like Moana saw through the mess of Te Ka, Jesus saw through the mess of me.
However, unlike Moana not knowing Ta Ka was really Te Fiti under all that mess, Jesus always knew who I was. He was with me through it all. I know because His Word is true and Deuteronomy 31:6 says “…for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
He was there before I was born, He was there in all the mess, He was there in the good times, the bad times, and every other time in between. But I was too blind by my own sinful consumption that I couldn’t see past me. I truly had no clue I was missing my Source.
And then He found me at the end of myself, ready to end it all. I was tired, lonely, guilt-ridden and full of shame, but He didn’t see that all He saw was His child in pain, in need of rescue. But notice how it took over 2 years for me to see Jesus as Moana in that movie. During those years we’ve been building our relationship. My thoughts of who God was before I knew Him, needed to fall away so He could show me who He really is so I could know who I truly am. Who I TRULY am.
Beautiful friend, I don’t know where you are, but I know Jesus does. Just like He saw me, He sees you. Just like He’s with me, He’s with you. Maybe you’re not ready to see yourself through your Heavenly Father’s eyes. But, when you are, He’ll be there waiting with open arms. He will keep calling, will you answer?
Blessed to be Broken 