Yes, you read that right. God speaks through Kung Fu Panda. What a title huh? It’s true. During one of the last couple of weeks when we were stuck inside because of massive amounts of snow, our family cuddled in together to enjoy the movie Kung Fu Panda. I fully expected to enjoy laughing and being on auto pilot with a fun family movie. Scripture says God uses all things, and He used that family movie to get my attention.
If you haven’t seen Kung Fu Panda, you should. It is a great story of an unlikely hero who learns to believe in himself. At the beginning of the movie, the hero, Po, is chosen as the “Dragon Warrior” , the chosen one to protect the village. However, Po is an overweight, untrained Panda who only knows how to make noodles. All of the other warriors who have trained for years in hopes of the calling, believe there has been a terrible mistake. Even Po doubts that he could ever attain such greatness. In a moment of great discouragement, Po is found by the Kung Fu master, Oogway, at the top of a mountain. Po is stuffing his face with peaches, since he eats when he is stressed. Po confesses to Oogway all of his doubts and his lack of ability. There is no way he could ever compare to so many others that have the abilities and training that he does not have. Po wants to quit and go back to making noodles. Oogway says to Po,
“Quit, don’t quit. Noodles, no noodles. You are too concerned about what was and what will be. There is a saying: Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift, that is why it is called the present.”
The Holy Spirit quickened my heart in that moment. In the midst of being stuck inside for days at time, the schedule of life turned upside down, I was reminded that each day is a gift from God. It caused me to think about how much I was concerned about what was and what will be, and how little I focused on the present. It was still fresh on my mind the next morning when I opened a devotional, “Jesus Calling.” I read:
” I am with you and for you. You face nothing alone–nothing! When you feel anxious, know that you are focusing on the visible world and leaving me out of the picture. The remedy is simple: Fix your eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen. Verbalize your trust in Me, the Living One who sees you always. I will get you safely through this day and all your days. But you can find me only in the present. Each day is a precious gift from our Father. How ridiculous to grasp for future gifts when today’s is set before you! Receive today’s gift gratefully, unwrapping it tenderly and delving into its depths. As you savor this gift, you find me.”
What started with a family movie, led me to God’s word. Psalm 118:24 says, ” This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” He made the day. It is not my day. Do I see the day as a day filled with things He desires me to accomplish for Him or do I see it as MY day with MY things. As I open my gift today, it may be filled with what seem to be meaningless tasks, but I cannot question how He will choose to use those tasks for His glory. It is my job to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling”. If I am His, and He has ordained this day, then I can look in expectation to each day, to what the great God of the universe has planned for me.
So what is in your “present” today?
kristiharrington
