Trash or Toy? : 8 Life Lessons from Toy Story 4 that will Increase your Joy
We were so excited to take the boys to see Toy Story 4. They have enjoyed watching the first Toy Story for a while now, and couldn’t wait to see their favorites, Woody and Buzz, on the big screen.
We haven’t taken the boys to many movies yet, and as parents we want to be mindful of we put before our kids, so admittedly, it’s a bit of a gamble to take them to a movie we haven’t seen yet. Will it be wholesome? Will it be appropriate? Too scary?
To our pleasant surprise not only was Toy Story 4 enjoyable, it can also be a wonderful springboard for Gospel discussions. The themes of purpose, significance, value, identity and sacrifice run deep.
***Warning: Spoiler alerts! ***
1.Identity:
As part of his struggle with his new identity as a toy, Forky repeatedly attempts to throw himself out, hoping to return to the trash where he feels he belongs. Woody gives himself the role of keeping that from happening, and an adorable montage of Woody rescuing the spork from the trash follows.
When Forky first appears on the scene, he immediately says, “Trash?” To which Woody replies, “No, toy”. For most of the film, Forky has an incredibly hard time embracing his new identity. At one point, Forky asks what makes him a toy, andWoody says because Bonnie loves you. You have a child’s name on your feet. (“Behold, I have inscribed you on the lams of my hands.” Isaiah 49:16, He has exchanged our filthy robes for his righteous ones- we are called by His name (Zechariah 3:4, 2 Chronicles 7:14)
Notice Woody doesn’t say, “You’re so great Forky! Look at those arms, those eyes, those feet.” He simply bases Forky’s identity on his creator’s love. And isn’t that what we are to do, as well? It’s not about how great we are, at all really. It’s about how great God is!
Once we become Christians, we have to put off our old self, and put on the new self (Colossians 3:9-15). We are new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17). We have a new identity, and just like Forky, many of us have a hard time accepting our new role. We want to go back to our old ways of living, or our old value systems where everything was earned. (Galatians 5:1, Exodus 16:3).
“I was meant for soup, salad, maybe chili. And then the trash!” – Forky. Is this how we see our lives? I was made to make some money, to love some people, to buy some stuff, maybe have some kids, in short to enjoy this life- and then the ground.
We can get side tracked and start living for our own plans and purposes, rather than for God’s, and the works He has already planned for us to do (Ephesians 2:8-10). We often still want to define our own way, our own meaning and purpose rather than letting God tell us who we are.
2. We misunderstand what true freedom means.
“It’s warm. It’s cozy. And safe,” Forky explains, “Like somebody’s whispering in your ear, ‘Everything’s gonna be okay.'”
We have a hard time leaving the “trash” way of life, as Satan whispers stay here….it’s known. It’s going to be okay. “Did God really say?” (Genesis 3). He is the liar and deceiver and a did I mention he’s a lying liar? (John 8:44)
At one point, Forky jumps out of the window and says, “I’m litter! Freedom!” as he flies off onto the highway.
We often think freedom= doing whatever we want to do, whatever is comfortable, cozy, safe, whatever we’re used to and whatever we want (the whole live “your truth” movement). We often use the word to describe finances and time- with so many of us seeking side hustles, and more and more people having non-traditional jobs, moms working part time while staying at home, balancing all of the things- this is the “freedom” as we know it.
What if the very thing we think is bringing us freedom is actually bringing us death? Maybe not physical, but certainly spiritual. What if it’s draining us of joy and life to the full because we are spread too thin or because we are continuing in habitual secret sin, thinking that we are “free” to do whatever we want? Or what if it’s seeking a lifestyle we think will bring us happiness only to find we feel more empty than before? God designed us. Shouldn’t we ask Him what He made us for? Forky was made by Bonnie to be her beloved toy. She, as his creator, defined him, no matter what he felt about himself.
3. Community/Discipleship
The walk between Woody and Forky on the highway reminds me of discipleship and the importance of community. Woody shares his life with Forky as we are called to do with other believers (1 Thessalonians 2:8), especially those who are new to the faith.
“He who walk with the wise will grow wise.” Proverbs 13:20 , and we are to walk with those who know Jesus- “Imitate me as I imitate Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1
4. Love means Sacrifice:
Woody sacrifices himself for Forky. Multiple times, with no regard for his own life, even when others turn back, Woody presses on to bring Forky back to Bonnie. (No greater love has this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13). He considers the needs of others above his own (Phil 2). And his Christ-like persona even continues as he willingly sacrifices his soundbox for his enemy, Gabby-Gabby. Woody has an internal struggle for purpose for the entirety of the film, and he finally finds fulfillment in giving his life away- spending it to make other’s happy (children, other toys). And this is where we find the most joy- “I will gladly spend and be expended for your souls.” (2 Corinthians 12:15), and “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35).
5. Uniqueness
At one point, Bonnie realizes she lost Forky and her mom says, “Oh you can just make another one.” To which she replies, “There is only one forky.”
And there is only one each of us. “You were born an original. Don’t die a copy.”
Psalm 139 says each of us are fearfully and wonderfully made. God gave each of us gifts (Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12) and personalities to use for His glory.
6. Be where you are and don’t try to be someone you’re not, realizing even failure can be used for good.
Duke Caboom’s whole story line of his failed Christmas morning jump is heartbreaking, but when Bo tells him that they need him to crash- that no one could crash just like him, it was as if Duke finally realizes he has a purpose, too. Even his crashing can be used for good. And, friends- this is our life story in God’s hands- whatever has happened to us, good or bad can be used for His story. Our “misery becomes ministry”. (“You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good” Genesis 50: 20, “He works all things for the good….” Romans 8:28). God doesn’t want us to pretend we are someone we are not or that we have it all put together. He wants us to come to Him, needy, as we are to receive grace (Hebrews 4).
7. Redemption/Love’s Power to Change-
Gabby Gabby is the first antagonist in Toy Story’s history to be redeemed. Her story made me think of Eleanor Roosevelt’s quote, “hurting people hurt people”. She just knew if she had a working voice box, that the beautiful granddaughter of the antique shop owner would want to play with her. She finally has the thing she has longed for- a working voice box- a chance to be loved by Harmony, only to have hope crushed when the girl casts her aside like garbage. This whole incident could preach an entire sermon (hope and the source of it Psalm 62:5), but I’ll save that for another day. What’s beautiful is that Woody could leave her be- she even tells him to leave her alone, but he doesn’t. He enters in to her pain, and he brings her along with him for a chance to be loved by another child. Love truly changes Gabby-Gabby. Woody’s kindness and sacrifice and then the love of another little girl. And Christ’s love changes us, too.
8. “How am I alive?”
In an after credit scene, Bonnie has now come home from first grade and made another “toy”: Knifey, Knifey immediately thinks she is trash as well. Forky – who is now secure in his identity replies, “I’ll explain everything to you”- this is disciples making disciples! (Matthew 28: 18-20).
But when she asks him another question, “How am I alive?”, he humbly says, “I do not know.”
Oh but what an important question for us to ask! How are we alive? Why are we alive? What should we do with this one crazy wild and precious life? For those of us in Christ, we know that we are doubly alive- physically (Genesis 1) and spiritually. (John 5:24). God created us. He is the Author of Life. He breaths His life into us. Christ is the Bread of Life- the very substance of life. For those of us who know Him, we have crossed over from death to life.
If you’re reading this and you haven’t ever really given much thought to this question, I plead with you- pause, even if just for a minute, and consider the origin of life and the implications that may have for your soul. Your answer to this question is a whole lot to gamble. Our church did a wonderful series not long ago for “skeptics”. There is quite a lot of data to consider. I also love the books Jesus More than A Carpenter, Mere Christianity and Case for Christ. And, if you’d like to dialogue I would be more than happy to talk with you.
So who knew Toy Story 4 would be so deep? I loved it, and can’t wait to use these moments to teach the boys some things when they get older.
