Cinderella Musings: Why We Are Made for Happily Ever After

We went to see Cinderella yesterday. It was a visually beautiful movie and the message was a bit deeper and more virtuous than the animated version...although perhaps not as empowering as the version we see in Ever After.

I happened upon a review, that blasted the latest Disney version of Cinderella on several accounts (you can read it here). I don't completely agree with this exposition on the most recent production of Cinderella; but, nor do I completely disagree with some of the points made. For example, this article points out the atrocity of tolerating emotional abuse. Of course, none of us would promote emotional abuse; however, I believe we tolerate it in this movie because we already know the end of the story.

In support of the most current Cinderella film, I will say that I thought that the emphasis on kindness and bravery was refreshing considering what we tend to find in movies these days. I also appreciated Cinderella's unsolicited forgiveness of her step-mother at the end of the movie. Forgiveness: a biblical command for sure. Not that we need to add to God's commands, but I believe that failing to forgive creates an inner bitterness that will rob you of so much joy and life.

Thus, here are some brief musings on fairy tales like Cinderella. In our heart of hearts, we all have a need to be rescued. From our own sin. We are deceived if we pretend that sin is not there—like being locked in an attic living in a fantasy world. We are made for happily ever after. Eternity with God*. We have opportunity to live for eternity happily ever after if we accept the forgiveness for our inherent sin through the grace of God through Jesus Christ. And speaking of whom, there is a prince charming, or rather a Prince of Peace, that rides in and saves us from injustice and suffering...and He does accept us as we are.  Jesus Christ. (I think somewhere in the book of Revelation, it mentions Him riding in on a white horse. Just sayin'.)

*Check out a book called Forever by Paul David Tripp if you want to read more on the concept of being created for eternity.

** Vintage image from scrapologie.blogs.com