In the movie Toy Story, the hero (Woody) was depressed. He feared he was being replaced in the affections of his owner (Andy) by a newer, more exciting toy. He would look at the bottom of his shoe from time to time, where Andy had written his name. His world changed around him, he had trouble, disillusionment, discouragement, discontent.
He was lost, trapped in adventure with his nemesis, without hope of rescue, but the Name endured, written in permanent ink.
Sometimes, we’re kind of like Woody. We go along through life with scarcely a ripple of trouble, then suddenly everything falls apart, and disaster threatens to overwhelm us. “Where is the God who delivers? Why are the heavens silent? Doesn’t He care about the trouble I’m in?”
Maybe we can get some help from the Gospel of Mark:
And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
He said to them, "Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?" Mar 4:37-40 ESV
When we give our lives to Christ, He writes His Name on our hearts. We may face trouble and discouragement, fear and doubt, but those temporary trials cannot erase the Name. Listen to the Savior: "Peace! Be still!" The Name, and all the promises of God that go with it, is still written, still vivid, still untarnished.
Woody’s attitude toward Andy wavered during the adventure, but only briefly. In the end, he remained faithful. Let’s learn from his fine example, and not be blown about by every wind and wave of discouragement that comes our way.
Psa 20:7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
