In Part 1: “The Claw” we talked about how the Holy Spirit can choose us and use us for reaching and saving others. This is something we have to have a continuous awareness of or we may just find ourselves refusing the very people that God is calling us to.
Remember that scene in Toy Story when Buzz and Woody find themselves in Sid’s room? They find themselves in a dark, unfamiliar place. Woody takes a flashlight and shines a light on the disfigured and fearful toys hiding in Sid’s room. He becomes extremely scared and disgusted by what he sees shouting, “Go away, you disgusting freaks! All back! Back, you cannibals!” He tries to get Buzz to use his karate chopping action and laser to ward off them getting close. Only after the toys demonstrate their kindess by repairing Buzz’s arm does Woody begin to reconsider his views regarding the horribly mistreated toys. In the end, all the toys join together to escape Sid’s room and be free from his wicked plots.
What can we learn from this scene?
Point 1: God calls us to shine the light of his gospel on others in love. We are to tell others the truth according to the Bible in love. If you “shine the light of the gospel” by pointing out to a person every wrong they are doing according to the Bible, then call them a disgusting sinner and demand they stay away from you and your loved ones, you are behaving much like Woody. You are judging quickly, and chances are you are also judging wrongly. You are lacking love and compassion. You are using God’s word to attack others and tell them the truths in the gospel, not with the intention of helping others, but instead with the intention of protecting yourself.
Point 2: We don’t need to fear the darkness or the people that God calls us to. Ask God to help you see situations and people as He sees them. We live in a sinful world, with broken, fearful, used and abused people who are living in darkness with no hope of escaping. They are surviving. Many people have a heart to do good, they just lack the chance to. Give people a chance, no matter how unsightly they seem. God loves them and it is your job to communicate His love. This is what you were chosen for.
Point 3: Lastly, I want to mention the importance of having a friend to go into the dark situations with. Having a faithful friend to join you in prayer and to accompany you when meeting with new people that God has placed in your life is wise. We will talk about this more in Part 3: You Got a Friend in Me.
