How Far I'll Go

Last night, I watched Moana on Disney Plus. I know many people with kids might be sick of Moana and completely over the songs, but as an adult with no kids, this was only my second time watching the movie, and my brother’s first time. So, even though the hype has mostly faded, it was a fun watch.

Not only was it fun, but it got me thinking…and since it’s Monday, it also got me musing.

You see, I’ve loved Moana since I first watched it. I loved it as much as (if not more than) Frozen and Frozen 2—which I might also eventually post about too. 

Moana is Disney at its best. The songs are well done, the humor is well-timed, the animation is beautiful, and the storytelling is inspiring.

And some of the themes gleaned from the story are the types of lessons all of us of all age groups can learn from. Though there are many directions I can take this post, many potential lessons learned from this deep, rich film, my focus is going to be on the character of the ocean, and how it relates to our relationship with God.

The Ocean’s Chosen One

When you think about Moana and her journey, there are things that simply don’t make sense, things that are better left mysterious.

One thing that’s never truly adequately explained is the question of why. 

Why Moana? 

Why is Moana chosen to return the heart of Te Fiti? The lost heart affects countless islands and generations. What actually sets Moana apart from everyone else in the world, as well as everyone who came before or after her?

She’s determined, she’s relatable, she’s a dreamer looking for a higher purpose…but so potentially are a lot of chief’s daughters.

In the end, we’re left with one fact that may or may not be satisfying—Moana was chosen by the ocean because the ocean decided to choose her.

That’s it. No deeper reason. Moana didn’t earn favor with the ocean. Moana didn’t even have to find the Heart of Te Fiti. The ocean literally gave it to her.

Indeed, depending on your perspective, the ocean may be awe-inspiring or incredibly annoying. 

Ocean — The Literal Deus Ex Machina

The ocean is literally my favorite character in the movie, and I say that for the same reason other people might hate it: The ocean is what certain gamers would call OP (Over-Powered).

Ocean is too powerful for the story’s own good and believability, but I like that because I see the ocean as a symbol for God.

Think about it. 

Ocean gives Moana the Heart of Te Fiti, leads her to Maui, constantly puts her and Maui back on the boat, and consistently leads her on her journey. Without the ocean’s content guiding hand, Moana’s voyage would have been beyond impossible.

The truth is, with how powerful of a character the ocean is, the ocean easily could’ve restored the Heart of Te Fiti. Ocean could’ve been the sole hero, but it chose something more mysterious—to bring itself greater glory through the transformation of unworthy characters empowered to do what on their own they could not.

Moana was completely unqualified to sail beyond the reef, find Maui, and lead him to restore the Heart of Te Fiti, but the ocean chose her.

The good news? The ocean led her and equipped her every step of the way, in spite of her shortcomings.

The Application

What the ocean did for Moana is exactly what God has done for us.

After all, God doesn’t need us, and He doesn’t need you.

You’ve been chosen, and your destiny is probably scary. In fact, you are completely unable on your own to fulfill that fate on your own.

But the good news of Jesus is two-fold. 

The obvious message of the gospel is that we can be saved from sin, and we are able to spend eternity with God. But the gospel message is even deeper than that. The vision of the gospel is reconciliation. Jesus is God With Us. God came to us, and Jesus, through his death and resurrection, took away sin’s power, and broke everything threatening to keep mankind separate from God.

The result is more than just eternity in heaven. The result is complete restored relationship with God. God is with us now, and the Holy Spirit speaks to us continually.

Beyond the salvation of your soul, God wants to see you thrive in your full potential. This isn’t a selfish, “prosperity gospel” concept—this is the ideal picture of man thriving in submission to God for the glory of God in a thriving, fruitful relationship rooted in love.

And part of that love is present in God teaching us to thrive in our giftings and dreams—not for the sake of building our own kingdom, but for building His.

If our dream ends in our own glory, we’re not only being selfish, but we’re limiting ourselves and limiting God’s vision for our lives.

God wants us to do things that seem impossible so that He can be glorified through our lives. But because of our reconciled state through the gospel message, we know that not only is our relationship and connection with God restored, but we also know He will empower and equip us to do more by His Spirit than we can do in our own, limited, human inventiveness, initiative, and will-power.

Does your dream scare you? If yes, then good. If it’s scary, it might mean you’re on the right track. God wants to grow you beyond your comfort zone to be the best, most mature, most effective version of yourself you can be, and you’re most like yourself as god made you when you are connected to the vine of His presence.

Just like in Moana, God will call you. Just like Moana, you might not understand your call, but like the ocean, God will give you everything you need to fulfill that destiny.

I don’t know how far I’ll go, but if God calls me, he’ll lead me and protect me every step of the way. And I know he’ll do the same for you.