How Far I’ll Go

In 2016, the now legendary movie, Moana was released. Its songs and animation made a big impact and its success was seen around the world.

One of the more popular songs was, How Far I’ll Go in the movie. It’s been sung repeatedly since the movie’s release, and it’s one of those songs that keeps coming back around. The song’s message is from Moana, who is longing for what’s beyond her Island. She’s reaching for more, as she feels her destiny is more than what she sees. She doesn’t know what’s out there, but she’s willing to find out. 

But the message of this song is connected to our faith in a big way. 

We can connect it with these statements. How far I’ll go in my passion for Jesus. How far I’ll go in believing God’s word. How far I’ll go in letting Jesus have my heart. 

How far we let Jesus in determines so much in our lives. The truth is that God does not force us to do anything because He wants our free will to say yes to Him. After all, He said yes to us, and when Jesus had the chance to back out of His mission, He pressed on and loved us. How amazing is the love of God!

So, how far will you let Jesus take you?

This question is especially profound when it comes to loving others and forgiving them. There’s no doubt, this is one of the most challenging things we navigate because doing this is not our first inclination. We prefer to not forgive, hold grudges, blame others, be resentful, withhold love, protect ourselves at all cost and when we don’t get our way, we back out and go home. Have you been here before?

Yes!!!!!!

However, the measure of the love of God coming through us, will determine more what happens in us, than it does what happens to others.

Notice what Jesus says to us in Luke 

“But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. 28. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.”

Luke 6: 27-28

Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for He is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked.”

Luke 6: 35

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He starts off with saying, to you who are willing to listen. This speaks of how far we’ll go with Him. Are we willing to listen and live this out?

Then, if we’re willing He says, love our enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you and pray for those who hurt you. Wow!! But He doesn’t stop there.

He then says give to them, without wanting to get repaid, because He’s kind to the unthankful and wicked.

If we’re honest, we don’t want to do this and yet, how far will we go?

The more we let Jesus have our hearts, the more empowered we are to do this. And the further we go with Jesus, the more of His plan, purpose and presence we’ll have. This is where we find healing in our lives, and discover the purpose of God coming through our lives for others. 

Therefore, we have to remember, this area of navigating others with our hurts, pain, rejection and disappointments, is the area the enemy wants to use anger as a foothold in our hearts (see Ephesians 4:26). When this happens, we are blocking how far we’ll go with Jesus.

So, how are you doing with those who have hurt you? 

Today, Jesus is asking us to forgive and move forward. He’s asking us to give to others, what we have received from Him. And He’s wondering, how far will we go with Him?

It’s my hope we go all the way with Him! Holding nothing back and giving Him everything we have. It’s my hope, we overcome ourselves and walk out the love of Christ. It’s my hope, we take the limits off God, and let Him do ALL He wants to do in us. It’s my hope, we love God and love people, with everything we have.

This is how to live and this is where we thrive.

So, how far will I go, as far as I can!

God is able and God is ready!

Have a great week and the best is yet to come,

PD