JUMANJI: WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE (2017) Movie Review
How to Utilize God-Given Talents
1 Peter 4:10 - "God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another."
"In the jungle you must wait until the dice read five or eight." (Jumanji, 1995)
In the original Jumanji
a terrifying, dangerous board game brings the jungle to life in the world of its players with the exception of poor Alan Parrish. The game instead traps him into the the jungle from which the world of Jumanji comes.
Alan Parrish is the only player to see and survive this world. Until the game finds Alex, a modern day teen who inadvertently converts the board game into a video game. He too becomes trapped. He too spent several decades fighting to survive.
One question that the original Jumanji doesn't answer becomes the center of Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle . What does the jungle on the other side look like? Instead of bringing the jungle to world, the game brings all of its players to its world.
Philippians 4:13 - "For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength."
It is a beautiful and dangerous world. It is filled with man eating animals, a gun wielding gang, and unforgiving terrain. Survival seems impossible. In order to survive and win the game, each player must utilize their special skills and strengths. Each skill is crucial. Each strength has a purpose.
Alex plays a pilot. Spencer and Martha play fighters. Fridge plays a zoology expert. Bethany plays a map expert.These five teens must explore strengths beyond their comfort zones.Until they accept their roles in the game, they have no hope in surviving. They must accept their uncomfortable roles and work together. In doing so, they emerge from the game stronger, kinder, and more understanding.
James 1:17 - "Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow."
Everyone in this life is born with gifts from God. Our God-given gifts vary, but they all serve a purpose in life, intended to glorify God. Regardless of what those gifts may be, we must find them and use them to the best of our ability. Use them to help others, make a world a better place, and glorify God.
What are your gifts? Are you using them, or letting them go to waste? How can they contribute to bettering the world? How can you glorify God?
