Many parents have a movie that one of their children has worn out through repeated watching. One mom I know, let her daughter watch the same movie every day for over a year!
Our family never went to that extreme, but our kids did each have a favorite movie when they were younger. One of our kids was obsessed with Finding Nemo. In the movie, Marlin, a clown fish, searches for his lost son, Nemo, who was taken from their home in the Great Barrier Reef. Marlin knows he is not a strong enough swimmer to swim all the way to Sydney, Australia and he is uncertain how he will make it to Nemo, but his friend, Dory, encourages him to “just keep swimming.” It seems all hope is lost when he accidentally swims into a sea of jellyfish.
However, he wakes up to discover that he, his friend Dory, and a very fun group of turtles, are all riding the EAC - the East Australian Current. The EAC (a real thing, by the way) carries Marlin to Nemo and a very happy ending.
Recently, I was thinking about Finding Nemo and the EAC as a metaphor for how many of us live our lives. We embrace the currents around us, going with the flow wherever it takes us. We rid the pattern of common wisdom and popular opinion. The flow that Marlin rode was helpful and enabled him to arrive at a destination he never would have on his own.
The flow of EAC was good for Marlin, but the flows we often ride are far from good. “Going with the flow” takes us places we don’t always want to be. While Marlin’s ride accelerated his quest to save his son, our ride can take us away from where God wants us to be. We must carefully consider the currents we’re riding and the destination ahead of us.
While I know the Apostle Paul had no concept of a clownfish movie for kids in his mind when he wrote the letter to the Romans, I certainly made a strong connection in one particular place.
In Romans 12:2, we read these words from Paul. “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
In this verse, Paul describes two paths available for us, especially as we contemplate how we want to live in this new year. Will we be conformed to the pattern of our world, copying their behavior and customs? Or will we be transformed into a new person, changing the way we think so that we know and do God’s will?
As I think about the world as a current, three destinations are clearly evident that we ought to be wary of reaching.
First, in a world flowing towards hate, Jesus invites us to be transformed by love. There has been a great deal of hate and anger in the last couple of years between individuals and groups. That current of hate will not change us into people who know and do God’s will. However, receiving God’s love and being transformed by it will carry us to that destination.
I’ve discovered that the greatest gifts we can give others are the gifts we’ve received from God. God has given us His steadfast love - a love that cannot be earned, increased, or lost. As we allow ourselves to be loved by him, we are transformed and empowered to love others.
This is the love Ryan Ellis sings about in his song, "Heart of the Father."
This love transforms us and everyone else it touches.
RELATED CONTENT: Ryan Ellis shares there’s always going to be the grace and love of God waiting for you in "Heart Of The Father"
Second, in a world flowing towards busyness and burnout, Jesus invites us to be transformed by rest and grace. One of the most popular verses in the last two years has been Matthew 11:28-30. “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
So many people are surfing the edge of burnout and running on the hamster wheel of busyness. Some of that is by choice and some of that is a product of working or living through incredible times. The current of this moment is taking us to a place that is destructive for our hearts, minds, bodies, and souls.
In the midst of that current, Jesus offers us a profound and needed invitation. What if you left the current of busyness and burnout and found rest for your soul in Jesus’ arms? What if you allowed him to hold you in gentleness and trusted that his burden for you to carry was light?
Third, in a world flowing towards fear and worry, Jesus invites us to be transformed by His peace. Throughout the last two years, I’ve been lifted by Paul’s words in Philippians 4. “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
Honestly, I feel like I’ve told God what I need more than I’ve thanked Him for what He’s done. But I have discovered one great truth. The current of this world will never lead me to a peace that exceeds my understanding. Only the current of God’s transforming loving and gracious presence will take any of us there.
The next time you see a clownfish in an aquarium, or you scroll past Finding Nemo on your TV, pause and remember. It’s good to keep swimming. But make sure the current you're riding is taking you to a destination where you will be transformed by Jesus, not conformed to this world.
Scott Savage is a pastor and a writer with the coolest last name ever. He leads Cornerstone Church in Prescott, Arizona. Scott is married to Dani and they are the parents of three “little savages.” He helps hurting people forgive others through his Free to Forgive course and you can read more of his writing at scottsavagelive.com
