What’s good, fam? Apologies for being hopelessly late with this blog post. Life happens, the grind is relentless, and even youths grow weary. A little waiting on the Lord was in order, along with some R&R.

Many things help facilitate rest during my down time, one of these being a good old DVD. Before the Marvel wave hit, I was a fan of Disney animations. Still am, really. Every now and then, as I re-watch one of the classics, I realise that Disney was low-key spitting sermons back in the day. It would make a good series of short reflections,in fact.

Now, before you think I’m being blasphemous, the word sermon means “a discourse for the purpose of religious instruction or exhortation, especially one based on a  Scripture and delivered by a member of clergy as part of a religious service; any serious speech, discourse, or exhortation, especially on a moral issue.”

Since that’s out of the way, I would like to draw your attention to that classic animated motion picture based on the adventures of the redheaded human-fish hybrid, The Little Mermaid. By now, most people will know the basic story: Ariel, a 16-year old mermaid, falls hopelessly in love with a human. After seeing him once. I won’t dwell on that too much. Her father, Triton, infinitely wiser, forbids her from seeing human Eric ever again. Ariel, knowing soooo much better, listens to some eels, and is taken to meet Ursula, the witch of the sea. After essentially signing her soul away to Ursula, she is turned human, and is given 3 days to win Eric’s affections—without her voice. So far, so impossible. If she does not succeed, she turns into a wormy thingy in Ursula’s garden.

The parallels thus far are obvious: Ariel—impetuous individual. Ursula—evil and essentially the devil. Ursula’s garden—a type of hell. But here where the preaching gets good, y’all.

Ariel’s pappy Triton, king of his domain, intercepts Ursula dragging Ariel back to pay the price (morphin’ time). Upon learning that Ursula is in possession of Ariel’s indestructibly signed contract, he decides to sign his name over Ariel’s, taking her debts as his own-Hey! (Imagine the quickening)

Y’all don’t hear me! Did our God not do this first?!? Triton took Ariel’s place in hell. Jesus took our sins upon Himself and took our place on the cross, even though we humans are the ones who mess up time and again. While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. We do not have to ever again be separated from God’s love. Can I get an “Amen!”? Can I get a “Praise Jesus”, saints? Christ did this for you and me. If that does not eternally cause you to shout and praise Him, I don’t know what will.

Okay, I’m done.

P.S. It’s not a perfect analogy, I would not extend the comparison to King Triton’s other actions in the story. But that part struck me with how much depth of meaning there is for us who believe and follow Jesus.

P.P.S. I am in no way implying that one should substitute Disney movies for reading the Bible or attending church. That is not what I’m saying. Get yourself to the house of the Lord, please. Thank you.

What deep message have you seen in a movie recently? Let a sister know.

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