Spoiler alert: The ending of Tangled is given away in this blog - if you haven't seen the movie you may want to stop here...
A couple nights ago we had all our students and interns over at our house for an ice cream, nerf war, hang out and movie time. The movie choice: Disney's Tangled. The reason: some young adults without kids haven't seen the movie!! Its hard for me to give a count of the number of viewings of that movie that are shown in my house in a week - and we have had that movie for at least four months. Needless to say, I know nearly every line. Even Emma quotes lines before they will happen in the movie... okay, that needs to change, but it was a very rainy spring and survival (aka sanity) was top priority.
So back to those who had never seen it: They laughed at scenes that for me weren't as funny. Even when other people were talking about what comes next they were shocked to see it unravel. But the best reaction comes at the end of course.
I remember leaning in towards the TV when Eugene was shackled and then in that moment reaches up and cuts off Rapunzel's hair. The absolute shock to see that self sacrifice for the good of someone else. What a moment!
That night with the students - for some it was their turn to experience it for the first time and realize the consequences of Eugene's actions... Now there were others in the room mocking or treating it with indifference because they were so used to the story. I sat there again and looked at it all with fresh eyes.
There was a shock that comes, and a moment of "Wow, Disney was actually willing to go there... good on them." Then the song that Rapunzel has sung so many times before has got a new meaning, there is a realization to what those words really mean:
"Flower gleam and glow, Let your power shine, Make the clock reverse, bring back what once was mine, Heal what has been hurt, change fates design, Save what has been lost, bring back what once was mine... What once was mine."In the movie the singing of those lines changed throughout the story. Sometimes happy and carefree, then quick to get it over with, slow to demonstrate it, and then finally with sorrow understanding the words. John Lasseter and his team completely capture the truth: we forget the power and meaning of words until something shocks us back to reality.
There was a time long ago in my past when I had the privilege of being the emcee for a friend's wedding. As I was getting ready I was thinking of something to say that wasn't cliche or off colour, but something honouring to the newly wed couple. I remember talking about my friend and a bit about his relationship with his wife and then quoted John 15:13 "Greater love has no one than this, that to lay down one's life for his friends." I went on to say that knowing the character of the man before me I could say he would live this out in his marriage.
Now some days I forget the power of those words, just like Rapunzel and her song. I am ashamed to say I can read past nuggets like that and forget the effect that they had on me the first time I understood it and what the full implication of those words are.
I could have picked from many stories of my past and present to portray this lack or remembrance. But John 15:13 is also the truth that lays at the heart of why so many people, young and old, are shocked with that fateful turn of events in Tangled. Eugene knows what his action is going to result in and still lays down his life for a friend. That is love in its purest form, putting the other persons needs above your own.
I forget the meaning of this at times. Then I listen to a Police Chief talk about a Patrolman who lost his life in the line of duty and even while pinned under the car that ran him over, he is hoping that the passengers are okay. That is jaw dropping - could I have that much concern for others that while dying at their hand my concern is for them? But these stories surface so often that sometimes we brush past them thinking, "I have seen it all before." I don't want to live like that - I want to remember what lays behind these things. I want to be one who feels the impact of actions and statements so that I don't go away indifferent but instead ready to do my part.
The other way I have heard this described is our needs grow as we get older. This is true for wonder as well. If I were to tell a story to Jonah (8), Abigail (4), Emma (2)
To Jonah - "little Sally walked up to the door, opened the door... And a lion leapt out at her" his eyes would go big at that point
To Abigail - "little Sally walked up to the door, opened the door... " and she would be on the edge of her seat.
To Emma - "little Sally walked up to the door" for her walking is such a new thing there would be enough wonder in that.
You see with each age more is required to bring a level of amazement. Unfortunately, with all the things of life we lack wonder from desensitization.
So the challenge to those who have read this far - remember something that absolutely amazed you, and look at it again with fresh eyes. It could be your spouse, job, scenery on your favourite walk or maybe a co-worker (okay amazed might be to heavy a word for the last one). I know for me it makes life a whole lot more exciting and fun to see people and places with fresh eyes again.
Well said brother!
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