Cinderella: Christ-Follower
Today was my day off. As it was nice out I decided to walk to the theatre a couple miles away. After consulting my lovely wife, I decided to go see the live-action Cinderella. (Yes, by myself. C.S. Lewis was a lover of 'faerie-stories'. Why shouldn't I be?)
This is the part where I could expound on the quality of the movie. How family-friendly it was. The beautiful CGI. And so forth.
I'd rather talk about some surprising things I discovered as I watched. (SPOILERS AHEAD!)
Ella had parents that were big on some good Biblical wisdom. Specifically Proverbs 22:6 (Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he won't depart from it.) and Colossians 3:12 (Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.)
Those of you who've seen the film already may be scratching your heads and wondering what in the world I'm babbling about. Remember the secret that Ella's mother passed along? "Be kind and have courage. There's great power in those things." How about the joy and love that filled the household? Her father's reminder that bearing up under suffering is important?
So what came of these thing? Ella was able to show the Prince that the status quo doesn't matter. 'Just because something's a certain way doesn't mean it should be.' Her stepfamily - cruel, petty, and vain - caused emotional scars that were not easily healed.
When she'd lost all hope, the Fairy Godmother (an analogue for the Holy Spirit in this example) came and gave her what she needed. Even after that, when her stepmother literally shattered her dreams, she was able to unreservedly forgive.
Ella was described as 'good', 'pure', possessing 'more kindness in her little finger than most have in their entire bodies', and so on.
These things are fruits of the Spirit. Biblical virtues. Ella's wonder of the world - the childlike innocence that Jesus stressed as super-important - gave her that.
Why are we so eager to give up that magic?
This is the part where I could expound on the quality of the movie. How family-friendly it was. The beautiful CGI. And so forth.
I'd rather talk about some surprising things I discovered as I watched. (SPOILERS AHEAD!)
Ella had parents that were big on some good Biblical wisdom. Specifically Proverbs 22:6 (Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he won't depart from it.) and Colossians 3:12 (Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.)
Those of you who've seen the film already may be scratching your heads and wondering what in the world I'm babbling about. Remember the secret that Ella's mother passed along? "Be kind and have courage. There's great power in those things." How about the joy and love that filled the household? Her father's reminder that bearing up under suffering is important?
So what came of these thing? Ella was able to show the Prince that the status quo doesn't matter. 'Just because something's a certain way doesn't mean it should be.' Her stepfamily - cruel, petty, and vain - caused emotional scars that were not easily healed.
When she'd lost all hope, the Fairy Godmother (an analogue for the Holy Spirit in this example) came and gave her what she needed. Even after that, when her stepmother literally shattered her dreams, she was able to unreservedly forgive.
Ella was described as 'good', 'pure', possessing 'more kindness in her little finger than most have in their entire bodies', and so on.
These things are fruits of the Spirit. Biblical virtues. Ella's wonder of the world - the childlike innocence that Jesus stressed as super-important - gave her that.
Why are we so eager to give up that magic?
Good analogies, Josh. I haven't seen it yet but think I will. (I may be old but even us old gals still love the 'Cinderella story'!) :) Your Auntie in Washington.
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