Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Cinderella


My family joined with friends to see the latest “Cinderella” movie last night. This familiar tale, retold by Disney in an unfamiliar way, teaches uncommon truths.

I didn’t recognize her at first. Not until the very end. Yet, with my children, I marveled at her magnanimous spirit, her humility, her service, her enduring kindness and selflessness, her sacrifice and love. She never once complained, never once put on airs, never once placed herself above (or before) anyone else, never once asserted her rights.

Though the child of loving and glorious parents — and heir! — she became an orphan, forsaken and outcast. Though the greatest among them, she became the least. Though once surrounded by servants who waited on her, she became the servant of all. Though more beautiful and radiant than the rest, she was a “nobody” hidden from view. Though arriving with a glorious entourage, she appeared to the world unrecognized and unheralded. Though many marveled at her grace, none claimed her as their own. Though she was hated and envied, despised and reviled, her compassion extended to the lowest and most vile. Though she was betrayed and scorned and ridiculed by those who should have been her kin -- and loved her! -- she did not rend again.

Her name was “Ella” (meaning “light” or “all”), but having forsaken all by sacrifice and surrender, she condescended to dust and ashes and was given the new name “Cinderella”. Thus she would ever after be known among men.

But her destiny was far greater.

She did not seek for fame or glory, nor did she strive to rule or claim her place. She only sought to serve and submit and to give her all when asked.

And the heavens smiled.

When he who would be king at last had found her, she revealed to him her true identity by embracing her new name: All Light in Ashes. She confessed she had nothing else to offer him. But for him, she was enough! He had sought her diligently and found her, forsaking all others. And he loved her! For he recognized that — without her kindness and courage suffusing all she touched, her grace and virtue and beauty — his glory as king would be misery and his kingdom without her forfeit.

She loved him, too, once she saw how much he loved the King, his Father, and how he was willing to lay down his own life for the kingdom. She fondly called this “apprentice” by his familiar name and he knew that only one who truly knew him and loved him, even from the beginning, would ever deign to do so.

So he knelt before her — offering her his hand, his heart, his kingdom and all he had — while she offered to him the only token by which she could be recognized by all.

And thus, finding themselves together again at last,

they lived happily ever after.

8 comments:

  1. Almost thou persuadest me to watch a Disney.

    ReplyDelete
  2. It is a very uplifting movie. Better review than the one in the trailer.
    JRU

    ReplyDelete
  3. I loved this movie so much. I see the symbolism as you listed in your wonderful review. But when I saw the movie, I also saw Cinderella as symbol of God's people, and how he tested them, sent them to the wilderness, provided for them and rescued them etc, etc. Many wonderful parallels in that story. I loved every minute of it.

    Log, I double-dog-dare you to go see it. Gileadi mentions how "fairy stories" (The End From the Beginning) tell the story of God's people singularly and as a group. They are marvelous, and this one is a gem. You can actually see your favorite commandment on display, Log, as Cinderella treats people as she would love to be treated.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh my - how beautiful. Your description, and the feelings it elicits in my heart, is every bit as majestic and beautiful as any hollywood movie could ever be.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Interesting. Like The Matrix, movies like this aren't accidental.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Someone is saying they cannot make comments on my blog. This is a test to see if I can do it from my phone. Please email me if you are unable to make comments.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Someone is saying they cannot make comments on my blog. This is a test to see if I can do it from my phone. Please email me if you are unable to make comments.

    ReplyDelete
  8. The real meaning behind the Cinderella story is Israel. You can read more about it here:

    http://tinyurl.com/cinderellaIsraelConnection

    ReplyDelete