When watching movies no matter the plot, I sense either the Holy Spirit giving heartwarming inspiration, introspective messages, or, on the other hand, his arch nemesis speaking something to poorly influence and ridicule humanity. Super deep I know! But hey some, like myself don't find shallow exciting.
Our latest family film, "Kubo and the 2 Strings," directed by Travis Knight, caused me to draw some metaphoric parallels between its 2016 story line and our current pandemic realities. Kubo the main character, a young boy, lived in a cave with his traumatized mother. He had instruction to never stay out at dark and keep 2 very important things with him at all times. One day Kubo's will led him to find himself in an unplanned predicament, not making it back before dark. Kubo's hard journey to purpose, self discovery and answers to his deep inward prayers were set in motion with truth, love, safety and courage at the forefront of it all.
For many our houses are beginning to feel cave like and cause a bit of angst. Humor me here, we will turn this dread around by the end, I promise. We have instruction to not gather in large groups. Social distancing lines, hand sanitizer, facial masks and nitrile gloves, for grocery shopping, along with zoom calls for home schooling seem to be a new normal. I know these are not just the issues of my cave family! Optimism and faith empowers me to anticipate that towards the end of this pandemic, many people may come to a deeper understanding of purpose, by harnessing the talents of self and others and reconnecting with immediate family members. In fact as believers, we may also see many answers and workings to some of our deepest inward prayers related to the health of our communities, the rule within our nations, and justice to economic disparities among the working class.
OK onto Kubo metaphorically fighting Corona! His 'virus' was ultimately the Moon King. Hey when you watch the film you will see that the Moon King came in and affected the whole community even though he was set on Kubo. There were many distractions along this main characters journey. And hint, he was victorious even though he lost somethings pretty significant before the quest even began. Perhaps you felt at a disadvantage even before this pandemic began. And maybe through it all you have been able to re-focus on the invaluable things in life. The key is to believe that you can emerge victorious even when you feel like the underdog. When we loose significant things in our lives its' usually to make us more profound, teachable human beings who can empathically be a blessing to others. If we fundamentally don't have essential elements to succeed we must obtain it from somewhere. God and the helpers he places in our path is a secure starting point. Kubo was equipped with amazing divine helpers in his story, who existed before he realized he needed them!
This young character got hurt, tricked, fatigued, uncomfortable and sometimes felt alone even with those helpers around. Human or animal support are amazing but those have their limitations. Ultimately, Kubo finding his Armor and experiencing the full love and guidance of something supernatural made his hardship easier to bare. The Armor that equipped Kubo for his 'viral' victory was the Sword Unbreakable, the Breast Plate impenetrable and the Helmet Invulnerable. You see where I am going with this spiritual humans....!
Our heavenly Father says and I paraphrase,"Be strong in [Me]... "put on [My] full armor, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of [any antagonist], for your [antagonists] are not [people], but against the rulers...world forces...spiritual forces of wickedness...in [high unseen] places (Eph 6:10-12). Yes a virus constitutes as wickedness people! Namely because of the ugly things it can do to the vulnerable. World forces can become less of leaders and more so rulers by ensuring a 'healed' society of any form or virus as it arises. I am neutral to how one chooses to obtain physical healing or avoidance of viruses, as everyone's health status is unique and can require differing measures. So what makes acquisition of the Armor I speak of so great and necessary? Well I believe it gives us the mindset of being engaged in battle and it makes us feel professionally equipped to do so. Feeling like a novice to the whole concept of engaging in battle idea? Here's an analogy for you. Our immune system is our body's gatekeeper, alert and on guard ready to fight to maintain our body's health daily. Our spirit is the gatekeeper to our mental and overall well being. It too needs a strategy for recognizing things that come against it. The truth is we engage in battle everyday by the choices we make, the mindset we choose, the things we allow to influence us etc...Lets remember the key to Godly Supernatural Armor working is that it is activated by love, the knowledge of Christ and of coarse Prayer.
With Supernatural armor what can we fear or not fight magically against? It is armor that allows us to gain the strength and love of the most powerful Spiritual Warrior, Our Father in Heaven! You may be thinking love and Armor how can that go in the same sentence....well if you know some love stories I know! Love is not always easy and sometimes has many things that come against it. Fitted clad and firm stances, drawing line in the sand kind of action is sometimes necessary to fight for love if you know what I mean. Again maybe that's just in my cave! Kubo fought his virus, the Moon King by having all his Armor on and speaking the truth of the love he knew the antagonist was against. This young boy's Warrior strength was embedded in his Armor, fostered by the Spirit of love between his Parents. His "why?" to engage in the fight and stay committed to winning. Well I think he needed to avenge the love story of his parents and also the love they did not get a chance to live out with him the way they initially envisioned. Sounds like a familiar story to my soul between humanity and our Heavenly Father. God's physical presence was cut short with us, both from the Garden and with the mission of Jesus(although he planned the latter so). I suspect God has a lot of love he wants to live out with us, and no I don't mean a long distance relationship. He is definitely committed to winning, because its a done deal. I could go deeper here people but this is just a short blog, not a novel....All this to say I don't know any Parent or God who wouldn't want to do everything possible to prepare their children to be triumphant in any battle with love, truth, safety and courage at the forefront!
A believer's armor gives gifts and skills to establish a mindset as follows;
...The Sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God Eph 6:17. Kubo said this piece of amor was unbreakable. If you pay attention to the epic battle in the film, Kubo's enemy spoke so much trying to convince Kubo to join his flawed end. The winning team has already prepared your script...the mighty word of God. No need for it to be King James Version tongue tying, paraphrasing a New Living Translation can have the same effect. The words in the Bible may be old but it can speak something new if we open our hearts to it. So the word of God is always sharp, transcending of time, and has strength to endure world changes. Yes that sounds on sharp!
Biblically we have been given "Breastplates of righteousness" Eph 6: 14. Your heart will be kept safe so one can ensure that motives of self and others are pure, and actions are full of vigor and integrity. This means I can put my chest out with honor and confidence, knowing I will be prompted to act right in difficult or frustrating situations because my heart literally belongs to God! This also means that I can guard my heart from all that does not have good intentions towards me. Now Kubo has it right to say this must be impenetrable. Bet you that's the heaviest piece of Armour that constantly needs readjusting! Anyone feel like acting like winners? And for the purpose of correlating with this film the last piece of biblical armor we will compare is of coarse the Helmet of Salvation Eph 6: 17. Kubo called it his Helmet Invulnerable and if this is not self explanatory enough, let me expound on this particular piece of armor. It is like a decibel meter to help renew and get your mind right. You supernaturally get help to get rid of all the 'noise' of life and hear only what is true. Ahh, my Helmet of Salvation. Yes Salvation, that not so foolish promise that I belong to Christs Kingdom and he has an inheritance for me that no virus, world government, the rat race of society and its economic inequalities can't threaten. You can listen to the tune of your choosing with Good Salvation FM an AM radio dials. It gives me identity and victory in all things through the work of my Father, brother, King and Friend on the Cross of Calvary.
Isn't this armor stuff exciting?!
God fearing communities have to be united in truth to affirm their sacred power and protection. All things will work together for our good, when we are called according to the promises of Christ (....)Romans 8:28. Let's continue to be both courageous and safe during these pandemic times. If you don't have a supernatural game plan, this animated film can help you remember some things you can work with. And please I did mention your immune system in this text also, so ask God for practical wisdom to build this up!
Kubo's quest began abrutly, caused by indirect disobedience to his mother and yet she was the one who was there to protect and guide him in the nick of time. Corona virus spread rather abrutly, caused by lack of understanding of how contagious and serious it really was. God gives us instructions and we find ourselves too, in predicaments, having sometimes also indirectly disobeyed. When we try to find our way home God comes to our aid to love, guide and protect. Always on time! Could it be that at the consequences of world disobedience we are caused to find and harness our true strength and understand how we should really live?
God gives us opportunities to develop the strength we have on the inside and re-experience his love over and over. He is giving us time to gain momentum to figure it out. Right where you are in your cave, I Knight you as Warriors to stand firm against the antagonists of this generation! You are the remnant in this earthly story who are those who keep God's commandments and maintain their testimony for Jesus (Revelation 13:17).