You wouldn’t expect the company that invented the animation sandbox to be the one who hasn’t found a place to play alongside giants like Pixar and Dreamworks in recent years, right?
But now, ‘tis the season for one of the coolest movies you’ve seen in a while!
Frozen is the return of the Mouse House magic, and I for one am glad that Disney remembered what made them one of the most successful companies of all time. Witty lines, great songs, and a throwback to the charm of a Prince Charming type storyline is a refreshing blast of cold air in the midst of the overheated and dry productions that have dominated the animation landscape lately.
In the film, Anna (Kristen Bell) goes on a quest with three companions (Wizard of Oz much???) to save the Kingdom from being always winter (Narnia anyone?) – and along the way she emerges as the heroine we all wanted to materialize from an otherwise typical teen who is, like, freaked out…you know?
To be honest, I believe there are multitudes of young women who seem like unlikely heroines, but given the right opportunities could transform the landscape of their journey through life. Unfortunately, they have been mistreated and misinformed about how God would love to use them to accomplish great things, so they have tucked themselves away in a subservient corner of the world.
But long before there was Anna in Frozen, there was another (not animated) teenager who decided to opt out of the normal cultural expectations of females, and because of her courage, saved her family and her entire nation from genocide.
Her name is Esther, and you can find her full story in the Bible under (obviously) The Book of Esther. It is well worth reading, but allow me to summarize.
A very powerful king who ruled over the vast Persian Empire around 400 B.C. needed a new wife. Esther was a no name maiden whose beauty overwhelmed the King at first sight, so he made her queen.
Meanwhile, the King’s right hand man named Haman has purposed in his heart to exterminate the Hebrews because of his racism and bitterness. Esther’s uncle Mordecai hears of this and encourages Esther to plead with the King on behalf of her people.
Problem: if Esther goes into the King’s presence uninvited, she would be executed on the spot. However if she waits to be invited, it may be too late to save the Jews from certain genocide.
And this is the moment Esther leaves her subservient corner of the world and fulfills the destiny to which God has called her:
Mordecai replied: “Don’t think for a moment that because you’re in the palace you will escape when all other Jews are killed. If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?”
Esther sent back her answer to Mordecai: “Go and get all the Jews living in Susa together. Fast for me. Don’t eat or drink for three days, either day or night. I and my maids will fast with you. If you will do this, I’ll go to the king, even though it’s forbidden. If I die, I die.” (Esther 4:13-16)
Spoiler alert: Esther approaches the King, pleads for the Jews, and exposes the vile heart of Haman. And they all live happily ever after!
Dear reader…what about you? If you are a guy, the world has given you more than ample opportunity to step up and lead the way for Jesus Christ and THE Cause, so let’s man up people!
If you are a female, take courage from Esther in the spiritually frozen wasteland of America. You have been given gifts and opportunities “for just such a time as this”, and if you are willing to be used by the Lord even to the point of saying “if I die, I die”, there is no limit to how He will use you to change the world!
And let’s not forget that what we do for THE Cause may not always produce immediate results like they do in movies and stories from the Bible. That’s why it is critical to remember this promise from God Himself:
When I declare something. My word will go out and not return to Me empty, but it will do what I wanted: it will accomplish what I determined. (Isaiah 55:11)
Sometimes you save the Kingdom, and sometimes your efforts show up decades later in a movement or revival. Either way, let’s refuse to be frozen in our fears and focus on melting the hearts of our friends who don’t know Jesus with the warmth of the Son and the courage of Esther!
Flashpoint: Ignite Into Action
Everyday our world grows more and more frozen towards the love of God and the offer of salvation from Jesus. More than ever, we have the opportunity to step up like Esther for such a time as this!
Accelerant: Fuel for THE Cause
Pray: Thank You Jesus for placing us exactly where we need to be so we can make a difference in our world, and please give us the courage to face the challenges that come from sharing the gospel with others.
Read: 2 Corinthians 6:2. “For he says, ‘In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you. I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.'”
Get: Learn how to turn a trip to the movies into an outreach opportunity by reading this blog, “Mission and Movie Night.”
Discussion Questions for Leaders:
Big Idea:
Our world is spiritually frozen, so we need to go out with courage like Esther and share the gospel for THE Cause.
Key Scripture:
Esther 4:13-16
ALT-ernative Questions:
- What is your favorite Disney movie?
- What might be the ‘such a time as this’ opportunity for you?
- How might THE Cause bring challenges to your life?
- How can you apply this soul fuel to THE Cause?