Nemo Lesson Two: "MINE" Can Be An Ugly and Destructive Word!

The second lesson from FINDING NEMO concerns some VERY irritating seagulls! As Marlin's story makes its way to the Australian shore, we find some seagulls who all can only say one thing, “MINE!” They say it over and over and over again…incessantly! At one point, the pelican, who is trying to listen to the important story about Nemo, gets so frustrated that he yells, “SHUT UP!” They are quiet for a second or two! But then start right back up! You can see them as part of the previous clip...go to time mark 8:30 on segment 6/11 from LESSON ONE CLIP.

They are not interested in hearing the story, or being a part of the story of a father trying to find his son. None of the seagulls ever become a part of the greater story because they are blinded by their own selfishness. Yes, it’s an animated movie, but here it display an ancient problem….remember the rich, young ruler in Luke 12:13-21? I wonder how many people come to some churches because they are drawn by God’s story, only to be met by a bunch of “seagull” church members shouting, “Mine! Mine! Mine!”

We need to be shouting, “His! His! His!” It’s His church, not mine! How many churches have been destroyed by that little word, MINE? How many people have missed being a part of God’s story of redemption and salvation because, even though they attend a church, are more focused on what they want or don’t want; what they like and what they don’t like? May we each pause before we should “mine” one more time! If we are quiet long enough, just maybe we’ll hear God inviting us to be a part of HIS story, which is always going to be better than MINE without Him!