Pixar and The Apostle Paul
By all accounts, Pixar has done it again…
If you haven’t seen it yet, Inside Out is truly a brilliant film that (ironically) will take you through just about every emotion you have inside your “control tower” as well. I found myself laughing hysterically and struggling emotionally all within a few moments of each other, definitely a filmmaking craft that Pixar has mastered well over the years.
And the premise is fascinating. What if we all had these little emotions sitting inside a room, holding a complete mastery over our thoughts, attitudes, and even actions?
Of course, this begs the question—are there also little emotions inside the heads of the little emotions we saw in the movie? Then of course, are there emotions inside their emotions too? Lather, rinse, repeat, until we have an infinite regression of little dudes and dudettes…
Anyway, I found it interesting that even though this “emotional control” theory is loosely based on Darwinian theory, it surprisingly reflects the sentiments of the Apostle Paul as we get insight into his “inside out”:
Listen, I can’t explain my actions. Here’s why: I am not able to do the things I want; and at the same time, I do the things I despise…I’ve lost control—sin has taken up residence in me I know that in me, that is, in my fallen human nature, there is nothing good. I can will myself to do something good, but that does not help me carry it out. I can determine that I am going to do good, but I don’t do it; instead, I end up living out the evil that I decided not to do.
If I end up doing the exact thing I pledged not to do, I am no longer doing it because sin has taken up residence in me. Here’s an important principle I’ve discovered: regardless of my desire to do the right thing, it is clear that evil is never far away. For deep down I am in happy agreement with God’s law; but the rest of me does not concur. I see a very different principle at work in my bodily members, and it is at war with my mind; I have become a prisoner in this war to the rule of sin in my body.
I am absolutely miserable! Is there anyone who can free me from this body where sin and death reign so supremely? I am thankful to God for the freedom that comes through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One! (Romans 7:15-25, The Voice)
I think we all would agree with Inside Out’s premise that there is a “control center,” of sorts, where our emotions reside and exercise great power in our daily lives, but what the movie missed entirely was the supremely important principle of our spiritual lives!
I get why, of course. Pixar isn’t a Christian film production company, and it is owned by the almighty Mouse. That’s why I’m so glad that God’s Word brings clarity to what the movie missed. We are all like Riley in the movie, but at a deeper level, we are all like Paul in that there is a spiritual battle going on that ultimately controls our emotions.
The problem is that until we trust in Jesus for salvation, there is a dark and sinful entity at the controls that drives us to destructive choices. We may think, feel and do the right things some of the time, but overall, our lives are dominated by separation from God.
But then at the moment of salvation, the Holy Spirit takes up residence in our control center, and if we allow, He directs our paths and takes charge over our emotions. He seeks to speak truth, peace and forgiveness over our raging emotions and conflicting feelings.
And best of all, He reminds us that no matter who we have been or what we have done, the Father forgives us, loves us, and accepts us as His beloved children, because of Jesus’ death and resurrection.
So if you find yourself wondering what is going on inside your head and why you continue to fail again and again, it’s not because your “joy” fell down into a pit and you are ruled by anger or bitterness. The truth is that we are dominated by sin until we accept Jesus as our Savior, then He gives us the gift of the Holy Spirit to come in and create a new destiny for our “inside out”!
Inside Out reminds us that we have a complicated inside world that can only be redeemed through Jesus, so let’s get out and talk to our friends about the One who can help our past, present and future make sense!
Want to use this Soul Fuel as a bible study with your students this week? Copy and text them the following: “Emotions got you like a hurricane storm on the inside? Check out this week’s Soul Fuel for some peace : http://hubs.ly/H010tzc0”
LEADERS: Be sure to check out the Discussion Guide for this week’s Soul Fuel – Pixar and The Apostle Paul!
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