Beauty and the Beast

As a little girl, I never thought of myself as a princess. I didn’t like to wear dresses. I didn’t watch or read fairy tales. I didn’t play with dolls. I liked to explore. If there was an opportunity to be outside, I would take it. Even better if I could be in pants and get dirty. Or lost. I was never really afraid of being on my own. But I WAS afraid of growing up alone. So like all little girls, I dreamt of the day a handsome young prince would come rescue me from my mundane existence (In my mind the prince was actually a Dallas Cowboy – but neither happened to show up).

Beauty and the Beast was the first Disney princess fairytale I ever saw. It will always be my favorite (and the only movie I ever memorized word for word). Here was a princess I could relate to. Even though I’m not petite or brunette, I identify with Belle in so many ways. Maybe you do, too. She loves to read. She loves adventure. She is a bit quirky. She is friendly. She loves her family, even though it’s clearly dysfunctional. She is curious and is not satisfied with her provincial life. And, of course, she has a horse. Every girl I’ve ever known loves horses. Well, every girl except my best friend, but she’s weird. And she said I could say that.

I love that Belle is a woman of virtue. She has discernment. She sees through arrogant and cocky Gaston for the man he truly is. She is willing to sacrifice herself for the safety of her father. She is strong, but caring. She doesn’t like to be bullied. She stands up for herself.

Most of all, I love that Belle isn’t BORN a princess, she BECOMES one without even knowing it. She didn’t need a reward in return for her love. She loved without condition.

Let that settle in your heart for a minute. It’s okay, I’ll wait.

Now let’s think for moment about the Beast. He’s big and powerful and misunderstood. A lot of people can’t see through his exterior, nor do they want to take the time to get to know him. He is protective and mysterious. He knows exactly what will make his Beauty happy. He is content just being with her, not wishing her to be any different. His love runs so deep, it compels him to risk his life for her. He is willing to do whatever it takes to give her what she needs. What I love about this movie is the beautiful picture it paints of love and sacrifice. The two are, in fact, intertwined.

And this I know  in my heart of hearts: Jesus wants to be your Prince Charming.

You don’t have to do a single thing to earn His love. He wants you just like you are. He’s so crazy about you that He sacrificed Himself for you, so that you, too, can be a princess.

As an apple tree among the trees of the forest, so is my beloved among the young men.

With great delight I sat in his shadow, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.

He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.

Sustain me with raisins; refresh me with apples, for I am sick with love.

His left hand is under my head, and his right hand embraces me!
Song of Solomon 2:3‭-‬6 (ESV)

Connect to Him. Talk with Him. Listen to Him. Read His love letters.

Get INTERTWINED with Him today. 

And listen to this beautiful song about being His bride.