What I learned from a kids movie

Originally published Friday, 24 April 2015.

I was getting some coffee before going into church last week, and a friend that I hadn’t seen in a while asked me this question, “Do you have clarity?” I didn’t stop to think about my answer, nor did I need to give it much thought. My quickness in responding kind of surprised him.

Yes, I have clarity. I can remember a time when I didn’t. Those weren’t fun days. Those were days filled with worry, anxiety, and no peace.  When taking steps of faith, one of the problems is that confidence can be hidden behind a mask of fear. We can say we know what we are doing all we want, but our inner selves are actually running as far away from courage as fast as we can.

I don’t know if you have seen the popular kid’s movie “Home”. It’s where a certain race of beings spend their whole lives running away from things that scare them. The hero in the movie runs towards danger and in the end….ooops! I almost gave you the best part.

What I learned from that movie is:
1. That we always need a refuge to go home to.
2. We spend most of our lives running from things that scare us.
3. We hide behind the lies that we can’t, aren’t able, or enough.
4. We can do more than we think we can, we just need to try.

The other day in my leadership class my pastor asked challenged us to make a “Big Hairy Audacious Goal” for the week. Mine was to run three miles consecutively, I had worked my way up to two miles over time. I had never run three. Did I tell you that I am not a runner? I’ve been embracing the fun of the run but still haven’t found much fun in it just yet.

I set my mind to running three miles the other day and did it! I was successful and didn’t have to stop to walk and catch my breath at all. I took my pace a little slower and just went for it. I was so proud of my accomplishment. The next time I went for a run, I set the same goal ahead of me, and I went twice as far running seven miles. Wow!

I never thought I could do it until I challenged myself. I was a little afraid of trying, and I don’t know why. It was wonderful to be able to say I did it. It was down right liberating!

“Insecurity is a destructive force. It can destroy your relationships, hinder your progress and steal your peace and joy. Security brings freedom.” ~ Christine Caine.

Yes, I have clarity in knowing who I am in Christ and I’m learning more about Him everyday. I have freedom to make goals that challenge me to go the extra mile. I don’t have to hide behind the lie of not enough anymore. And when you are a faith leaper the only refuge that is “home” for me is the place that draws me closer and closer to Jesus.

Do movies teach you too?

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