In a moment of surety, she yanked the royal tiara from her carefully coiffed head and flung it into the abyss below. This was her moment of release. This act was her delivery from the prison-like life that she’d always known. Gone was the familiarity of the enclosed walls of her chambers. She was out in nature, living like one of the elements. Unrestrained and unconfined.
This scene from Frozen struck me the moment I saw it because it’s rarely what we do. We try to live the best of all worlds crammed into our one tiny little life. We hide secrets and hoard skeletons. We use all manner of designs, clothing, makeup, hairstyles, jewelry, shoes, purses, etc to ‘look the part’. In our innermost private places, we allow ourselves the freedom to be who we are…as long as no one else sees. It is hard to release security for the unknown.
Most of us can identify with this other young man. He was well-liked and very well-known. Active in his community, he got involved in everything. Helped here, participated there. His goal was to look like he was living out his faith. Yet, he had a void. There was something missing, that he couldn’t quite put his hand on. No amount of volunteer work could fulfill him. Finally, a famous Teacher was passing through.
This young man ran up to Jesus and asked him “What must I do to get eternal life?” The reply shook him to the core. “Jesus looked him hard in the eye–and loved him! He said ‘There is one thing left: Go sell whatever you own and give it to the poor. All your wealth will then be heavenly wealth. And come follow me.’ The man’s face clouded over. This was the last thing he expected to hear, and he walked off with a heavy heart. He was holding tight to a lot of things, and not about to let go.” {Mark 10, the Message Bible}
He wasn’t ready to release. To make that complete surrender and find freedom outside of himself. He wanted to live for Christ…as long as it was on his own terms. The things were too important that he made sure to grip them tightly. You cannot let go of anything if you refuse to open your hands and your heart.
Without that release, you’re too full all the wrongs things and won’t have room to receive the heavenly gifts that Christ wants to shower us with.
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Linking up with this Five-Minute Friday community today.