"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!"

"Hello, Is Anyone Home?!"

I remember as a teen delivering newspapers and collecting the money the old fashioned way. I'd go up to a door, knock or ring the door bell. After thinking I'd heard someone, I'd call out, "Is anyone Home?!" Only to be disillusioned knowing I wouldn't get paid from them that week. After getting 5 or 6 "no homes" in a row, I'd often get discouraged, because I knew if I didn't collect the money, I wouldn't get paid. This scenario probably seems quite trivial compared to the situation the Israelites, David and King Saul were all facing in I Sam. 30 and 31. The Philistines were fighting against Israel and King Saul and pressing down "hard" on them. As a matter of fact, it was so bad King Saul saw little hope for his future, and so he fell on his sword, killing himself. His sons, including Jonathan, David's best friend, were already dead. Meanwhile, David and his army were in another part of the country and had just discovered that the Amalekites burned their city to the ground. Their wives and children were gone - the scriptures tell us they were taken captive, but, I'm sure by the way the men reacted, they didn't know that at the time. I Sam. 30:3,4 tells us that David and his men "cried aloud until there was NO strength to cry anymore." Pretty intense, huh? Well, I'm sure at this point David and his men were wondering if their God was anywhere to be found, you know, like "home?" To make matters worse, his men were talking about stoning David! I know we've had "low" points in our lives, and we've felt like we've had it bad, but imagine living in this situation. Talk about "throwing in the towel," this would have been a great time for it! However, although it may have seemed God's presence was no where to be found, the Bible tells us, "BUT David found strength in the Lord his God!" (30:6). David knocked on the door and found God "home," or rather, he realized God had been present the whole time........What about us? When it comes right down to you and me, do we remember how much God loves us and cares for us too much to leave us? If we call out to Him, we need not worry that He won't answer, for our God is ever present. So, you may be facing moments of darkness or insurmountable testing or temptation - turn to the trustworthiness of God's Word where Matthew shares with us, "...if we ask, seek, and knock, we will NOT be ignored," (7:7,8). OK, so what do we do now?...Well, go ahead and knock at the Lord's door, you won't have to scream, "IS ANYONE THERE?!" You'll always fin Him home!