I was struck by the focus of the movie on "inner peace" Panda had seen his teacher trying to discover inner peace through kung fu and he too wanted it and in the end savves all of China because he found it!
I want inner peace too! However, I know that true peace, everlasting peace only comes through Jesus!
He is the one that was promised
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given... and his name will be called, 'Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (sa shalom) Isaiah 9:6
sa shalom when used as a noun, shalom, means, "wholeness", "fullness", "totality", "completeness". It means wholeness where nothing, no component or part is missing, impaired or damaged.
- Jesus came to give us shalom- To restore what had been broken- our relationship with the Father."We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ," Romans 5.1.
- Jesus restores shalom that which is empty,broken or separated by making peace by the blood of his cross" (Col 1.20).
- Jesus gave us a different kind of inner peace. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27
There are many things that cause us to feel broken, fractured, stressed out and not at peace. Like the Panda, we all crave peace.
My prayer for you is that you would experience this verse. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7
This is an incredible point of view of this movie, I would have never looked at it like this if you hadn't posted this.
ReplyDeleteJesus is good, but if you follow Jesus to the exclusion of any and all other sources of spirituality and wisdom, shutting 99% of the rest of the world by following such a sectarian, single-minded religious path, that is not the road to inner peace. Inner Peace is "inner" because it comes from within, not without. I like how you were moved by the notion of inner peace in Kung Fu Panda II, and your faith (regardless of religion), but you seem to have a misunderstanding of what it means to truly have inner peace. :(
ReplyDeleteThank you for your response. I was just reading A promise that Jesus gives. In the bible John 14:27 Jesus makes this promise-"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." I have felt this peace and understand how amazing it is to have my world be shaken, yet feel a quieting restful peace. This is possible because of Jesus.
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