Ephesians 1:3-10 ESV
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
Woody is our example of a life lived according to a central truth.
Ephesians 1:3-10 sums up what most Christian traditions would claim is the central truth Christians believe and live our lives by.
The resolution of Woody’s conflicts hinge on decisions made based on the central truth he believes: a toy’s purpose is to be there for a kid.
Buzz – Got caught up in his own perceived identity as a space ranger, and sold out to the wrong truth: that he had no value being a toy.
Stinky Pete – Never got to have a kid, so he became jaded, entitled, and sold out to the wrong truth: that he’s more valuable as a collector piece in a museum than as a toy.
Lotso Huggin’ Bear – Had “the best kid” but got forgotten, so he became controlling, manipulative, and sold out to the wrong truth: as long as he’s in control, he can be happy.
Gabby Gabby – “Almost” had a kid for a long time, but became scheming and obsessive, and sold out to the wrong truth: she won’t have value or purpose until the antique store owner’s granddaughter accepts her.
What do we learn from Woody in these movies?
Philippians 3:15 (ESV)
Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.
- Toy Story 1 – you have to decide it’s not about you
- Toy Story 2 – you have to decide that central truth matters when more attractive options are available.
- Toy Story 3 – you have to decide that central truth is still true when it doesn’t look like what you’re used to.
- Toy Story 4 – you have the decide you’re okay with following where that central truth is leading you, even when it’s away from your comfort zone.