I know the last time I wrote, it was referring to a cartoon movie…and…I’m gonna do it again. Yes, I think we can take away a lot more from movies than what initially meets the eye.
I love cartoon movies. I love cartoons altogether actually. I was thinking about an incredible message a previous pastor of mine had braught out of “The Lion King”. I’m still trying to figure out how to put videos on here but until then, I’ll just have to tell you about it.
Simba had been lied to when he was a young cub by his uncle Scarr. He had been convinced that it was his own fault that his father had died. As a result, Simba wondered into the wilderness where he met Timon and Pumbaa and adopted the Hakuna Matata “nothing matters/no responsibility” outlook on life. His old friend Nala finds him and attempts to talk him into coming back to the pride lands because Scarr and the hyenas have taken over and the situation is looking very bad. Simba is very quick to let her know that he doesn’t feel that he has what it takes to return to the pride lands and fill his father’s footsteps as King. He then runs away from Nala.
Thankfuly this isn’t the last time Simba will face some positive peer preasure. He is then approached by a monkey by the name of Rafiki. Rafiki’s purpose for the visit, which is unknown to Simba, is to remind the young cub of who he is…and more importantly, where he has come from. After Rafiki hits Simba in the head a couple of times with his stick and leads Simba to a water hole, something special happens. This is the actual script…
| Rafiki: | Look down there. |
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{Simba quietly and carefully works his way out. He looks over the edge and sees his reflection in a pool of water He first seems a bit startled, perhaps at his own mature appearance, but then realizes what he’s looking at.}
| Simba: | {Disappointed sigh} That’s not my father. That’s just my reflection. |
|---|---|
| Rafiki: | Noo. Look harder. |
{Rafiki motions over the pool. Ripples form, distorting Simba’s reflection; they resolve into Mufasa’s face. A deep rumbling noise is heard.}
| Rafiki: | You see, he lives in you. |
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I love this! Rafiki leads him to the water where Simba first see’s his own reflection. When he looks harder, he sees his fathers image. This experience opens Simba’s eyes to see that he has had what it takes to be the King his whole life because of the blood that runs though his viens. Not only does he have what it takes, but it is his responsibility to be King.
The reason I love this is because things are often the same with us Christians. To put it bluntly, we can be convinced of the lies from Satan that we are not worthy and that we don’t have what it takes to represent God. We sometimes allow ourselves to come to the point of believing that it would be better to not even put forth the effort to make a difference but rather live a life of apethy. When we find ourselves in these situations, it is imperitive that we have others in our lives that are willing to come along like Rafiki, hit us in the head with a stick, and hold us accountable to the truth that keeps us effective for the Kingdom. Ok, we might be able to do without the stick hitting. We seriously must understand that it is crucial to surround ourselves with others who understand the mission of Christ. We have to remember that in the same way that the reason Simba was worthy to be King was because of the blood that ran through his veins, the reason we are worthy to represent God is because of the blood that Christ shed on the cross. Ask yourself everyday when you see your reflection in the water “or in the bathroom vanity”, whose image do you see-yours or your Fathers? Be blessed.
The Crash Encounter







