And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. —2 Corinthians 12:9-10, KJV

Turbo is a delightful, animated family film about a snail who wishes he was faster. Through a freak accident, he is given incredible speed. His dream of one day winning the Indianapolis 500 may be soon realized.

The film is a fun, acceptable family outing appropriate for all ages. It also gives Christian parents an opportunity to discuss an important Biblical lesson with their children. You see, Turbo was unhappy with who he was. He is a snail. Snails are slow. That is the way God made them. There is nothing wrong with being a slow snail because God made snails slow and everything that God made is good.

And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good. —Genesis 1:25, KJV

There is one important distinction to point out. Changing is not a bad thing. The problem lies when we become unhappy with who we are or where we are in life and take on the attitude that the only way we can be happy again is to make a change.

Turbo got his ability through a freak accident that he had nothing to do with. This is very different from a miracle. God is able to perform miracles and show the world His power, but the story in Turbo did not include a holy intervention. Instead, what the audience gets is a character unhappy with his life who gets lucky and has his life changed exactly the way he wanted by some random act. 

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. —Jeremiah 29:11, KJV

The NIV translation of that verse says that God knows the plans He has for you and that the plans will not harm you and you will prosper. That doesn’t mean that everything in your life will be great and you will never know pain or suffering. But God never gives you more than you can handle and when you finally reach Heaven to spend eternity in His Holy presence, you will prosper. Praise Jesus, you will prosper!

Use Turbo as a chance to speak with your children about God’s plan for them. Go enjoy the film and then figure out the best way to start the discussion based on your child’s age or biblical understanding.