"To Infinity...and Beyond!" by Dan McDonald

A popular children's Disney film starring some of our favorite actors and actresses introduces a super hero action figure who has supposedly come from outer space to rescue the world from its enemy...Zurg. Buzz Lightyear's most famous line is, "To infinity and beyond!" I'd never really stopped to examine the significance of this simple phrase that I have heard dozens of children repeat (even I have used it, while role playing with my boys) - not that it really needs examination. But today as I was thinking about this quip, I asked myself, what does this really mean or stand for? Now, please let me say in advance, I don't want to demean Disney for using such phrases, because I really enjoy a good Disney flick now and again. However, if we're not careful any role model and his/her famous quotes can distract us from the One True Hero - Jesus, and His sayings, the Bible. He (not Buzz) was always in "infinity," (eternity) and He came from "beyond," (heaven) or a place we could never imagine or dream. We as parents/teachers need to watch for clever phrases like these the media or movie industry inundates us with on a daily basis so we can teach our children Biblical truths that they will hold on to their entire lives. Anyway, let's get back to this exclamatory phrase Buzz Lightyear employs throughout the series, Toy Story. First, "to infinity": This obviously infers something endless, vast, or immeasurable. I can only think of eternity or the place where Christ has always existed, a place not bound by time. I have often tried to explain eternity/infinity only to end up with a brain fracture failing to elucidate the implications of an eternal/infinite state. Then, comes the next two words, "and Beyond": This, added to the already inconceivable thought about eternity, ultimately brings the reflecting brain to an abrupt halt! I mean, here's the concept of never-ending, and then, beyond that?! WOW! Well, here's what this phrase made me think of: the only thing that could possibly come close is Christ's return for His bride, and then sweeping us off into the "beyond," wherever that may be and whatever that will consist of - a place far "beyond" what are human eyes can see or hands grasp. So, imagine this, God the Father telling His Son, "It's time! Go get my sons and daughters!" Gabriel blows his trumpet, Jesus parts the clouds and shouts to His children, those in their graves first, "Come with me, to infinity and beyond!" Cool, huh?! Paul said in Thessalonians, "...comfort one another with these words." Well, maybe not these exact words...but the concept was to encourage each other because the Lord would be returning one day! So, let's all say that little phrase out loud and think of Christ...ready, set,..."To Infinity and Beyond!"