By far the winner of the most popular costume for the little girls that came to our home trick-or-treating was Elsa, the fantasy female protagonist in Disney’s Frozen. I should have counted but I am sure it was near 50%. Two little girls even sang for me “Let It Go”, the award-winning theme song from the film.
As they went back up the sidewalk to the street I thought of Romans 13:14 where Paul admonishes us to “clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, . . .” Just as those little girls were being changed by dressing like Elsa and singing her song, so we are transformed by mentally clothing ourselves like Jesus. It really isn’t just role-playing. It is a role that little by little becomes reality. We become unselfish by doing unselfish things. We become kind by doing the thoughtful deed. We become generous by giving more than is expected. We become nice by not saying the nasty thing and instead figuring out a way to be positive. Granted it might be difficult at first but like most things the more we do something the more our body and mind adapt. And then one day something marvelous happens. It becomes automatic. It becomes our first response. We are changed. I’m not saying it is easy. Quite to the contrary just like learning to play the piano like a concert performer takes years of daily practice so it is a lifelong task to become like Jesus.
Playacting isn’t just playacting. Playacting is serious character transformation. It is the noblest challenge upon which one can embark. And the best part of all as Peter says in his second letter we can participate, now, in the divinity of Jesus.
Written by Roger Bothwell on November 5, 2014
Spring of Life, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org