Growing Up and Embracing God's Plan: Lessons from "Big"
Who remembers the classic movie "Big"? It's that unforgettable story where a young boy named Josh Baskin makes a wish to be "big" and suddenly finds himself in the body of an adult overnight. This movie is filled with humor, heart, and a lot of life lessons that we can connect with our faith journey. Today, let’s dive into some of those lessons and see how they align with scripture.
The Desire to Grow Up
In "Big," Josh is frustrated with being a kid and wishes to be an adult. Haven’t we all been there? At some point, we’ve all wished to fast-forward through the tough parts of life to get to where we want to be. But God has a plan for us, and sometimes that means waiting and growing in His timing.
Scripture Insight: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11
God's plan unfolds in His perfect timing. We might be eager to grow up or reach our goals, but trusting in His timing brings the best outcomes.
Childlike Faith
One of the most endearing parts of "Big" is seeing an adult Josh navigate the world with a child’s wonder and honesty. Jesus calls us to have a childlike faith—pure, trusting, and open-hearted.
Scripture Insight: "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." - Matthew 18:3
Childlike faith is about trusting God completely, being open to His guidance, and finding joy in His presence.
Embracing Responsibilities
As Josh enjoys the perks of being an adult, he also encounters the responsibilities that come with it. It’s a great reminder that maturity isn’t just about age, but about accepting and handling responsibilities with integrity and faith.
Scripture Insight: "When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me." - 1 Corinthians 13:11
Growing in faith means embracing the responsibilities God places before us and living out our faith with maturity.
Rediscovering Joy
Despite the fun of adulthood, Josh realizes he misses the simplicity and joy of his childhood. Sometimes, in our pursuit of goals and responsibilities, we lose sight of simple joys. God calls us to balance our lives with joy and contentment in Him.
Scripture Insight: "The joy of the Lord is your strength." - Nehemiah 8:10
Rediscovering joy in God’s presence strengthens us and reminds us of His goodness.
Returning to God’s Path
At the end of "Big," Josh chooses to return to his true age, understanding the importance of living each stage of life fully. Similarly, we sometimes stray from God’s path but returning to Him brings us back to where we’re meant to be.
Scripture Insight: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:5-6
Trusting God and returning to His path leads us to a fulfilling life.
Conclusion
"Big" is more than just a fun movie; it's a story that mirrors our spiritual journey in many ways. From trusting God's timing to embracing our responsibilities and rediscovering joy, there are countless lessons we can apply to our walk with Christ. As you reflect on these insights, remember that growing up in faith is about trusting God's plan, keeping a childlike wonder, and living out our responsibilities with joy and integrity.
Thanks for taking this trip down memory lane with me! Let’s keep supporting each other as we grow in faith and embrace the amazing journey God has for us.
Key Takeaway: Embrace each stage of life with faith in God’s plan, a childlike wonder, and a heart open to joy and responsibility.
Scripture to Reflect On: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11
Until next time, keep shining your light!
