Love and FROZEN

OK, let me get this off my chest straight away – I’m not really much of a fan of princesses. There, I said it. You see, my family loves all things Disney. We try to plan a Walt Disney World trip every couple of years, we have many, many Disney movies, my wife is systematically decorating the kitchen in Mickey Mouse decor and my kids have bedrooms decorated in Disney themes. But I’m not much for princesses. They work for my 8 year old daughter, don’t work for me. All that is to say that I finally joined the cult of Frozen. We also belong to the Disney movie club and the Blu-Ray arrived by mail and we HAD to watch it as soon as homework was finished. And I have to say that even with my aversion to the regal underlings, this movie is a winner. Just so you understand how good it is, my overactive 4 year old son sat and watched the whole thing. That’s a major accomplishment.

The basic story is about two sister princesses, one with the power to create snow and ice, who must cope with the loss of their parents and their own ascension to the throne of their home country. I wouldn’t give away the story for those who have not seen it, but suffice it to say that this is a great family film with some wonderful themes, laugh out loud humor and the usual Disney happy ending. I recommend it even to people who don’t like princesses.

Easily my favorite part of Frozen is its spiritual connection. One of the princesses is in danger and is told that only an act of true love will save her life. She asks her snowman companion Olaf how to know if someone loves her. His response is almost lifted directly from the Word, “When someone puts your needs ahead of their own.” Jesus said, “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13 NRSV) Truly friends, there is no better description that I know of what love is. When my needs become more important to someone else than their own needs, I know they love me. In the same scene, the princess is concerned that Olaf will get too near the fire and melt away. Olaf replies, “Some people are worth melting for.” Folks, this is really what love is… it’s not the sappy romantic emotional Valentine’s day stuff. It’s more than a Hallmark holiday. Love is action. Love is valuing others at least as highly as we value ourselves if not more so. Jesus summed up the entirety of the Ten Commandments and the law in these phrases, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength; and love your neighbor as yourself.” A little self-sacrificial love goes a long way in this hurting world.

Remember God loves you and so do I.

Pastor Don