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Utopia

We had a family day today and went to see the movie, Zootopia. What a cute movie with a great message! Many will debate about how it has an agenda, but, if you sit back and take it all in, the movie may rush you back to your childhood.

I resonated with the main character, the rabbit. She had a spunk about her. Judy Hopps was destined to be a carrot farmer but she had other plans. She wanted to be a police officer and nothing could stop her. This was me. I was bound and determined to be famous one day and no one could tell me otherwise. The world was my oyster, and I was going to tackle anything and everything that came my way. As the movie progressed, Judy moves to Zootopia: a land where every type of animal lives in peace and harmony with each other...or so she thought. Officer Hopps befriends a fox in order to solve a case. These two are polar opposites; the fox being a predator and Judy being a bunny was prey. The two end up working together facing challenge after challenge including coming to the realization that they are vastly different and not supposed to be friends.

Without giving too much away, this movie mimics the challenges we face today. We are constantly at odds with one another because of our differences whether that be opinion, lifestyle, race, religion, or the way we choose to raise our kids. There is constant tension. I feel like I am daily dodging daggers that are being thrown at me and my family. We seem to be constantly in battle with the world in which we live. The world is no longer a utopia for my kids and that saddens me. BUT, it doesn't have to be that way.

You see, the animals didn't know they were different from one another until someone said something and convinced them that one group couldn't live with the others. All of a sudden, someone's words that were meant for good and said to be truthful were twisted and spun in a destructive direction. Sound familiar?

Life doesn't have to be this way. God didn't create our world to be chaotic and hateful. The Garden of Eden was meant to be a place of perfection until it was tainted. And then Jesus came. He befriended the "least of these." (Matthew 25:39-41) He was friends with a tax-collector, a traitor, fishermen, a zealot, a doubter, and other misfits. Jesus had friendships that didn't make sense. He lived with upside-down intentions and expectations never wavering. He knew we could live differently and showed us through his life.

I want this for my kids. I want them to know that they can be whatever their hearts and minds desire. They can be friends with anyone and make this world into the world of their dreams. Where and when did we lose this? How did us grown-ups get it so wrong? Why is the Garden so unattainable?

I know that if I believe in the Bible, I must accept that this world is filled with sin. I know perfection won't come until Heaven. However, I also know God designed us for greatness far beyond what we are living and showing today. He intended our lives for good and to be full of hope yet we often live in despair. We beat each other down inside of building each other up. (Jeremiah 29:11-14; 1 Thessalonians 5:11)

I believe in my children, our children, and I believe in our God. We can have a zootopia of our own. Judy Hopps said, "Life's a little bit messy. We all make mistakes. No matter what type of animal you are, change starts with you." The change starts with us: you AND me. Let's lay the daggers down and make each other better. This isn't the world I knew as a little girl: the world I couldn't wait to grow up and be a part of and I am willing to fight to fix the broken pieces. If not for me, for my kids.

Love & Blessings,
Meg

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