Toy Story 2 with Paul McDonald and Corey Stumne
Coming up on the Men at the Movies podcast, we continue our three part series with Toy Story 2. Corey and I talk about how, just like Woody, we have God’s name written on our souls, even when we feel old, abandoned, and forgotten. Like a missionary, Woody gets sent to people who need to be rescued. But he only sees two options—leave them behind and return to Andy, or join them to live life in a glass box. It’s only when Buzz shows up that his true purpose becomes clear, and it’s the same as every follower of Christ—to invite others to join our family. You’ve got a friend in me, so join me as we discover God’s truth in this movie.
Quotes
Having Andy’s name on his sole is what sets Woody apart.
Woody, like us, believes that in order to be accepted, he has to be polished, perfect, have it all together.
Maybe the devil’s best trick isn’t getting us to sin, but to have spiritual amnesia, forgetting God loves us.
The hardest thing to do is convince the Jesse’s of the world that God is still true and faithful, still loving and someone they can trust.
He was called to unite the Roundup Gang, not in the collector’s apartment, but in the presence of Andy.
There are many lesser gods who take brown paint to try to hide the name of Jesus on our hearts.
Themes
Figure out how to pass on your faith
Woody as a metaphor for being a missionary
He thinks he’s worthless without his hat, but Bo Peep reminds him that Andy loves him with or without his hat.
Woody’s identity is as a rescuer, but he fails when he tries to do it in his own strength.
Called to be in a place to invite others home into family, but gets fooled into playing it safe, protecting himself.
Trusts Andy to be the place where he belongs, and wants others to experience the same joy and sense of belonging.
He sees two options—going home or staying there. But God sees a third option, and calls us to that.
Finally understands that he isn’t the rescuer, Andy is.
Resources
“And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” - Deuteronomy 6:6-9 (NLT)
There is no safe investment. To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly be broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket – safe, dark, motionless, airless – it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. The alternative to tragedy, or at least to the risk of tragedy, is damnation. The only place outside Heaven where you can be perfectly safe from all the dangers and perturbations of love is Hell. - C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves
“The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” - Mark 1:15 (NLT)
Questions
How do you see God’s name written on your soul?
What “hat” do you feel worthless without? What is your reason why God can’t love you or use you to advance the Kingdom?
How have you forgotten who you really are? What is the result?
How have you tried to find safety in a box?
When have you felt forgotten by God? How did you feel remembered?
Who is a Jesse in your life? How can you reach out to them?
How has God shown you a third option when you felt like there were only two?
More info
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Edited and mixed by Grayson Foster
Logo and episode templates by Ian Johnston
Audio quotes performed by Britt Mooney, Paul McDonald, and Tim Willard, taken from Epic (written by John Eldredge) and Song of Albion (written by Stephen Lawhead).
Southerly Change performed by Zane Dickinson, used under license from Shutterstock.
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