Addendum to Learning through "Beauty and the Beast"

Hello, friends.

Near the end of my time in Tallahassee, Pastor Jay had me come up with a personal meaning statement. It is (drum roll please) "helping others find their place in God's story."

This statement has many facets to it, but the one I want to focus on tonight is the word "story." I believe two things: first, everyone has a story, and second, everyone is part of a bigger story - God's story.

Everyone has a story. As a DCE, I hear people's stories all the time. It is both the best and the worst part of my job. I hear all the happy things (I got a job; I'm dating someone) and all the sad things (My parents are divorcing; I'm depressed). No matter what your story is, part of my calling as a DCE is to respect and love you enough to listen to it.

Everyone is part of a bigger story - God's story. Yes, I hear the sad things. My story has sad things in it, too, and as a foster parent, I'm learning about the sad things more and more. But our stories, the happy and the sad, fit into the greater plan of God. I am able to look back at my life and say, "That's why God had me go through that - so I would be helpful to this person here today." Knowing that God is in control gives me a new perspective.

You may wonder why I'm writing about this tonight. I'm still thinking about the controversy surrounding the new "Beauty and the Beast." Maybe I'm biased because I've been excited about this movie for so long, but here's what I think: if I am truly called to help others find their place in God's story, I have to be willing to listen to theirs. If I reject the opportunity to listen and learn, how am I supposed to do that?

One of my favorite Bible stories is found in Matthew chapter 9. It reads,

As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, 'Follow me.' And he rose and followed him.

And as Jesus reclined at table in his house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" But when he heard it, he said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.' For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.

I don't expect people who aren't Christians to act Christian. I do expect them to want to be heard, and I intend to listen to and learn from them, just as Jesus did. I'm not saying that I agree with them. I'm not saying that I'm going to change my opinions and beliefs for them. I am saying that I believe they have a story, just as all of us do, and I want to hear it. Yes, for me, part of that comes through watching movies like "Beauty and the Beast" and tv shows like "Supergirl" with values that I don't necessarily align myself with.

I don't expect the entertainment industry to act Christian. I expect them to tell the stories that matter to them. And if my goal is truly to help them find their place in God's story, I have to listen to their stories, first.