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When Two ‘Different’ People Meet Love
Lessons Learned from Tarzan and Jane in ‘Tarzan’

By McKenzi Matsick

How many of you were born in 1999? If you weren’t born that year, do you happen to know who Phil Collins is? Maybe your response to both of those questions is “N/A” or “no,” but, I’ll give you a little insider.

In 1999, the movie “Tarzan” made its debut, and the awesome soundtrack mainly features the one and only, Phil Collins.

When choosing to base my article off of the Disney classic, I did not know that I would be tying it into singleness until that topic was assigned to me. There are so many spiritual and biblical connections that can be made with several of Disney’s movies over the years. I was amazed after being unaware of the comparisons that Tarzan and Jane both had in relations to being single and growing fond of each other.

Tarzan was raised in a family of gorillas after both of his parents were killed by the infamous leopard, Sabor. As he was growing up, he was taught and became accustomed to living the life of a gorilla himself. His English was not the greatest, he was socially awkward in ways, and even though he considered himself as one of the pack, he still knew deep down that something set him apart from his gorilla family. Jane, on the other hand, was born in England, and she was very out-going, adventurous, and spontaneous.

When Tarzan rescued Jane in the jungle, the two learned quickly that even though they were both human beings, they were different in many ways.

As the movie progresses, Jane teaches Tarzan how to “properly” act and speak as a human. She begs him to return to England with her, as they both started to fall in love with each other. Tarzan wanted Jane to stay with him in the jungle. By the end of the movie, it is seen that she in fact does stay with him, as well as her father.

The application to this beautiful, fun and wild story may seem like a simple one, but overall, it is very profound.

Since I was previously in a relationship, I can say firsthand that the person you end up with may have similarities with you. However, they will also be very different, which sometimes can be a challenge.

If you have never been in a relationship, I want to speak to you first:

What God has in store for your relationship life in the future is FAR greater than anything you could ever imagine. I know that the wait may seem like forever, but the process of being single is preparing you for what is to come with you and your partner. From what is portrayed in the movie, it is obvious that Tarzan and Jane both had never been in a relationship before. Once they met and fell in love, they fell in love for who each other were as individual people – personality and all. However, their life experiences leading up to their meeting helped them to enlighten one another and teach each other new ways and perspectives of living that ultimately was beneficial to the both of them. As God is preparing you, lean 100% into what He is doing in your life, and listen clearly to what He tells you. It will help you for your future, and the process will be worth the wait (TRUST ME!).

If you have been in a relationship and are now single again, this is for you:

Even though things may have not worked out with you and your partner, it is not the end of your story. God allowed that relationship to happen to teach you things that will help you right now in your singleness as you prepare for (hopefully) the one that you will spend the rest of your life with. It is not easy adapting to the lifestyles of another person, but when you step into your next relationship, you will know more about how to give and to receive what is needed for the both of you.

In John 14:2-3, Jesus says, “…I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

Just as the bride (church) is preparing for the return of her groom (Jesus), we too should prepare for the day when we meet our future husband or wife that God gives to us.

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Find out more about McKenzi by visiting www.cactusroseco.org/