“Worship the Lord your God; serve only Him!” ~ Luke
4:8
Movies were her secret
pleasure. For those few blissful minutes,
Madison simply projected herself onto the big screen as the hero, casting
director, and number one fan.
Today, however, would not be one of those movies. Today Madison found herself at a matinee babysitting
her nephews, chewing on gummy bears, and fascinated by Minions. You know those small, funny, genetically
humanized kernels with one or two eyes. They’re adorable!
She allowed her mind to wander. What really is a minion?
Minion /ˈmɪnjən/: 1. someone
not powerful or important, who obeys the orders of a powerful leader; 2. One who
is highly esteemed.
“So if I'm one of God's minions,” she thought, “that means
I'd be: 1. a servant of God, subordinate to Him; and 2. highly favored by Him.”
Madison was certainly OK that!
She went on to learn that these Minions love. They care for each other and protect the
kingdom to which they belong. In this
topsy-turvy world where good is bad and villainy is endearing, Minions model a
rich faithfulness and strict obedience that’s both powerful and endearing.
Madison imagined that the biggest compliment for a Minion
would be the words ‘well done good and faithful servant.’ For them, nothing could be better. “Aren’t we as Christians called to act in the
same manner, setting ourselves apart from the world that promotes self-reliance
and self-fulfillment?” she wondered.
As she absorbed more of the film, Madison recognized other
messages:
1.
Be Yourself - despite how stupidly innocent Minions
are, they never try to be something totally different. Embrace your flaws and use them.
2.
Have Fun - Don't take life too seriously. The essence of Minion-ism is childlike enthusiasm.
There’s nothing wrong with wearing a hat
made of fruit, or hula dancing to pass the time.
3.
Look Out for Your Friends - What's the fun in
laughing alone? Stick with people who
join you in ditsy mistakes, then giggle ‘em off.
4.
Hug Often – The one thing better than a smile is
a friendly hug! They’re scientifically
proven to lower stress. So if words
aren't enough to console a friend, give ‘em a bear (or Minion) hug.
5.
Don't Let Work Take Over Your Mind - You can't
drool away like a sloth and then expect happiness. Break up the drudgery. Be silly and entertain yourself and others.
On the drive home, Madison felt great peace. No matter how hard they tried, the Minions
always seemed to fall short of their master’s approval. She could relate.
There’s nothing she could do, no act great enough to enable
a relationship with God. As much as we
try there’s nothing we can do ourselves to attain His approval. We already have it.
