Know Who You Are
Disclaimer:
1. If you haven't seen Moana, you should. It is a beautiful story with lovable characters and moving music. (At least listen to the music. It is incredible!)
2. This post may contain some spoilers, so go watch the move and then read this.
Brief plot:
Moana is a young girl, who loves her people and will one day become their chief. She also loves the sea and longs to go beyond the reef. In fact, the ocean calls to her. She is chosen by the Ocean to restore the heart of the mother-island, thus saving her own island from destruction. Her mission bends her and sends her to the breaking point. In the end, she grows and becomes a better leader.
The first time I saw Moana (yes, I've seen it twice), I cried several times. Silent, elephant tears. There is a large amount of Biblical truth beneath the surface. The metaphors are fantastic.
If you want to check out a different Moana post, read Annie F. Downs' blog on calling.
Lesson #1: The Ocean
I see the Ocean as a metaphor for God throughout the film. At one point, we see Moana praying to the Ocean to get her through the storm, a literal storm.
Instead, her boat is washed ashore a seemingly random island. She gets angry with the Ocean and believes she is hopelessly lost.
Turns out, she was exactly where she was supposed to be. It was the island she had been searching for, but the Ocean took her on a different path than she intended.
Too many times in my life have I been angry with God for not taking me on the path I carefully planned to the destination I thought was good.
Yet, his path is always perfect. And it is better than the one I envisioned for myself.
I need to constantly be brought back to the verses in Proverbs 3:
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."
Lesson #2: Know Who You Are
My absolute favorite part of Moana is during the song Know Who You Are.
Watch the Scene and listen to the words before you keep reading.
I get chills every single time I watch this and/or listen to the song. It is so powerful.
I hear it and I can hear the Father reminding who I am.
All the hurt and brokenness of your past. Your sin, your shame, and your guilt.
THIS DOES NOT DEFINE YOU.
"They have stolen the heart from inside you, but this does not define you."
I often told myself this before a test in college because I had test anxiety. This test does not define you. It works in all situations.
Your past does not define you.
Your relationships do not define you.
Your heritage does not define you.
Your success does not define you.
Your _________ does not define you.
"I know who you are. You know who you are."
I just hear Abba whispering this to me. Carrie, I know who you are.
You are a child of the King. You are deeply loved. So worth loving that I gave my Son's life for you. He has taken your sin, guilt, and shame upon himself.
You are cherished and enough.
Dear friend, you are deeply loved and more than enough. Worth dying for, created for a purpose, and cared for by the Creator of all things. Made beautiful by Him to bring glory to His name.
Trust in His plan and know you are a child of God.
1. If you haven't seen Moana, you should. It is a beautiful story with lovable characters and moving music. (At least listen to the music. It is incredible!)
2. This post may contain some spoilers, so go watch the move and then read this.
Brief plot:
Moana is a young girl, who loves her people and will one day become their chief. She also loves the sea and longs to go beyond the reef. In fact, the ocean calls to her. She is chosen by the Ocean to restore the heart of the mother-island, thus saving her own island from destruction. Her mission bends her and sends her to the breaking point. In the end, she grows and becomes a better leader.
The first time I saw Moana (yes, I've seen it twice), I cried several times. Silent, elephant tears. There is a large amount of Biblical truth beneath the surface. The metaphors are fantastic.
If you want to check out a different Moana post, read Annie F. Downs' blog on calling.
Lesson #1: The Ocean
I see the Ocean as a metaphor for God throughout the film. At one point, we see Moana praying to the Ocean to get her through the storm, a literal storm.
Instead, her boat is washed ashore a seemingly random island. She gets angry with the Ocean and believes she is hopelessly lost.
Turns out, she was exactly where she was supposed to be. It was the island she had been searching for, but the Ocean took her on a different path than she intended.
Too many times in my life have I been angry with God for not taking me on the path I carefully planned to the destination I thought was good.
Yet, his path is always perfect. And it is better than the one I envisioned for myself.
I need to constantly be brought back to the verses in Proverbs 3:
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."
Lesson #2: Know Who You Are
My absolute favorite part of Moana is during the song Know Who You Are.
Watch the Scene and listen to the words before you keep reading.
I get chills every single time I watch this and/or listen to the song. It is so powerful.
I hear it and I can hear the Father reminding who I am.
All the hurt and brokenness of your past. Your sin, your shame, and your guilt.
THIS DOES NOT DEFINE YOU.
"They have stolen the heart from inside you, but this does not define you."
I often told myself this before a test in college because I had test anxiety. This test does not define you. It works in all situations.
Your past does not define you.
Your relationships do not define you.
Your heritage does not define you.
Your success does not define you.
Your _________ does not define you.
"I know who you are. You know who you are."
I just hear Abba whispering this to me. Carrie, I know who you are.
You are a child of the King. You are deeply loved. So worth loving that I gave my Son's life for you. He has taken your sin, guilt, and shame upon himself.
You are cherished and enough.
Dear friend, you are deeply loved and more than enough. Worth dying for, created for a purpose, and cared for by the Creator of all things. Made beautiful by Him to bring glory to His name.
Trust in His plan and know you are a child of God.
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