A Minecraft Movie, in theatres now, is an adventure-comedy movie based on the 2011 video game “Minecraft,” in which players explore the Overworld, a three-dimensional place where participants can create anything they can imagine out of blocks. Gamers play as Steve, an expert builder who lives in this strange cubic world. In the movie, Steve (Jack Black) works in a mine. One day, he dug so deep that he discovered the Overworld, the perfect place for him to use his imagination to build unique and amazing things.

Wanted: Imagination

One day, four people—Garett “The Garbage Man” Garrison (Jason Momoa), Henry (Sebastian Hansen), Natalie (Emma Myers) and Dawn (Danielle Brooks)—are pulled from the real world through a mysterious portal and join Steve in the Overworld. Steve welcomes them and instructs the quartet about his world.

“Anything you can imagine is possible here,” he tells them. “As long as what you imagine can be built out of blocks.”

But the Overworld isn’t just some giant funland. At night, there are zombies that shoot fiery arrows at the newcomers. Steve must teach his new friends how to survive in the Overworld by using their unique talents.

“There are dark forces that want to destroy this world,” he says. “If we’re going to stop them, we’re going to need to create something amazing.”

To return to the real world, the four must work with Steve to complete a magical quest that will require co-operation, bravery and, most of all, imagination.

Each of us was born with unique talents, but we can’t always recognize them in ourselves.  DIANE STARK

 Having What It Takes

At some point in our lives, we’ve all asked ourselves the question: Do I have what it takes? Am I smart enough, creative enough to complete my goal? Strong enough to overcome the challenge in front of me?

Sometimes, we fear the answer is no. We’re not sure if we have what it takes.

When we’re struggling with these doubts, we must remember that God didn’t create human beings using a cookie cutter, one just like the next. No, the opposite is true. God crafted each human being uniquely and in His own image, using the utmost care. The Bible says that God knit each of us together in our mother’s womb and that we are fearfully and wonderfully made (see Psalm 139:13-14).

Before God made each of us, He knew the challenges we would face in our lives. He knew the activities that would call to us and make us feel alive. Before we were born, God laid out a mission—a unique purpose—that He wanted each of us to complete for His kingdom. He knew exactly what skills and abilities we would need to complete that mission, and He created us with those exact specifications in mind.

Each of us was born with unique talents, but we can’t always recognize them in ourselves. Some people are talented singers, artists or writers. Others are wonderful cooks, nurturing caregivers or gifted speakers. Some of us have more subtle gifts, such as the ability to make other people feel included and important. It’s easy to disregard those less-obvious talents, but God doesn’t view them as less valuable. Whatever gifts He gave us, He wants us to use them to draw others closer to Him.

But while each of us is uniquely gifted, we’ve still got to put in the work. God created us with everything we need, including the self-discipline and courage to use our gifts for His glory. When we use our God-given talents the way He intended, anything is possible.

There’s no reason to doubt if we have what it takes.

God made sure that we do.

Illustration: Courtesy of Warner Bros Pictures