Unexpected Lessons

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11

It’s amazing how God speaks to us in some of the most unexpected ways. Most of my weekends are spent home alone with the kids because my husband works a second job. Somehow we always manage to find ourselves on Netflix watching “Moana”. Now, if you’ve never seen this movie, it’s about the daughter of the chief of the Polynesian island of Motunui. She longs to be on the water, but her father forbids it. She finally sets sail across the ocean to find the demigod Maui so he can restore the heart of Te Fiti.

She feels like she is called to make him do this. She spends most of the movie telling herself, “I am Moana of Motunui. You will board my boat and restore the heart to Te Fiti.” She depends so much on Maui. She relies on someone else to do the job she feels like she was called to do. How often do we do that ourselves? We want someone else to do the hard work.

But then something changes. Toward the end of the movie, her whole attitude changes and so does her quote. She says, “I am Moana of Motunui. Aboard my boat, I will sail across the sea and restore the heart of Te Fiti.” And in that moment, I heard God whisper to me. “I didn’t call you to make someone else walk through your fire. I called you. It’s not always easy, but this is your path.” I realized that through Christ I can do all things (Philippians 4:13).

Her whole demeanor changed in that one instant. What she was having to do was not easy, but it was her calling. Even if no one else was with her, she had to complete her mission. God doesn’t call us all to the same ministries or the same paths. He doesn’t require that we all walk through the same things, but He always promises to be there for us.

Deuteronomy 31:6 says, “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”

We have to put our trust in our Savior. When He calls us to something, He will walk with us. He will guide us and direct us. Trust God today. No matter what you’re going through, He is there for you. If He brought you to it, He will bring you to it. Trust His will for your life today.