If you ever saw the movie "Toy Story", then you know who Buzz Lightyear is. He is the space ranger toy out to save the world from Emporer Zorg. But there was one problem. He really thought he was Buzz Lightyear. He hadn't a clue that he "was just a toy" as Woody the cowboy so aptly put. Buzz had a much greater view of his importance than was reality.
Sometimes we bump into people with this view of life. They see themselves as something they are not. I know a few people who go around calling themselves "pastors" and "Reverend" because they went on the internet, filled out a form, paid five bucks and got an ordination card in the mail. Never mind the fact it is God who ordains, not a website. I guess this really gets me thinking about God's "gifts and callings" He places on peoples lives. Do these people really think a plastic card means God has called them into the ministry? Is it an ego trip? I can't say for sure.
My favorite part of "Toy Story" is when Woody and Buzz are stuck in the neighbors house with the horrible toy destroyer kid Sid(Sort of like me when I was a kid). When they are running from his dog, Buzz happens to go into a room that has a tv playing a commercial about Buzz Lightyear toys. He finally realizes that he is just a toy but his heart tells him "no this can't be true". So he goes out into the hall and looks up to see an open window above the stairwell. He climbs to the top of the banister, releases his wings and with a deep breath, exclaims, "To infinity and beyond". As he leaps to fly through the window, he begins to fall rapidly to the floor at the bottom of the stairs and hits the ground. The next scene shows him lying there limp with one arm broken off.
I believe God's "gifts and callings" are really wrapped up in being a servant of both God and mankind. It is not one who says I am a pastor, or evangelist, or deacon or ministry leader but one who is a servant. After all Jesus came as a servant. I have read somewhere a quote that has stuck with me for years. "You are as much a servant as how you react when someone treats you like one." Ouch.
So let me tell you why I like Buzz Lightyear. After he realized who he really was he was able to serve, in a sense, the needs of his owner Andy. Before his fall it was about himself. After it was about those around him. I see some of myself in him. Sometimes thinking of myself more than others. True humility is thinking of yourself less. I have a hard time being around people who always talk about themselves. They are not the least bit interested in what others have to say unless it is about them. So my hope and prayer is that I too can learn to serve others needs before my own. That I may become a Buzz. Or really more like Jesus.
How do you see yourself?
Sometimes we bump into people with this view of life. They see themselves as something they are not. I know a few people who go around calling themselves "pastors" and "Reverend" because they went on the internet, filled out a form, paid five bucks and got an ordination card in the mail. Never mind the fact it is God who ordains, not a website. I guess this really gets me thinking about God's "gifts and callings" He places on peoples lives. Do these people really think a plastic card means God has called them into the ministry? Is it an ego trip? I can't say for sure.
My favorite part of "Toy Story" is when Woody and Buzz are stuck in the neighbors house with the horrible toy destroyer kid Sid(Sort of like me when I was a kid). When they are running from his dog, Buzz happens to go into a room that has a tv playing a commercial about Buzz Lightyear toys. He finally realizes that he is just a toy but his heart tells him "no this can't be true". So he goes out into the hall and looks up to see an open window above the stairwell. He climbs to the top of the banister, releases his wings and with a deep breath, exclaims, "To infinity and beyond". As he leaps to fly through the window, he begins to fall rapidly to the floor at the bottom of the stairs and hits the ground. The next scene shows him lying there limp with one arm broken off.
I believe God's "gifts and callings" are really wrapped up in being a servant of both God and mankind. It is not one who says I am a pastor, or evangelist, or deacon or ministry leader but one who is a servant. After all Jesus came as a servant. I have read somewhere a quote that has stuck with me for years. "You are as much a servant as how you react when someone treats you like one." Ouch.
So let me tell you why I like Buzz Lightyear. After he realized who he really was he was able to serve, in a sense, the needs of his owner Andy. Before his fall it was about himself. After it was about those around him. I see some of myself in him. Sometimes thinking of myself more than others. True humility is thinking of yourself less. I have a hard time being around people who always talk about themselves. They are not the least bit interested in what others have to say unless it is about them. So my hope and prayer is that I too can learn to serve others needs before my own. That I may become a Buzz. Or really more like Jesus.
How do you see yourself?
Comments
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Knowing you I think you are being as real as you can be. I certainly would not classify you as the PC Reverend.