Is Who You Are Enough?
Of all the Disney live action remakes, the 2015 Cinderella directed by Kenneth Branagh is my favorite. It tells the classic story with a simple, yet beautiful purity. There are a few key moments and pieces of dialogue that stand out to me, but in this glimmer of the Gospel, I want to focus in on a scene near the end of the film. It was a scene the Lord used as a reminder of something that is true for you and for me.
I am sure most of you are familiar with the story of Cinderella in one form or another, so let’s dive right in. At the end of the film we find Cinderella locked upstairs in the attic by her evil stepmother in an attempt to keep her hidden from the Prince. Her daughters are out of the running for queen and having discovered Cinderella is the mysterious princess from the ball the Prince fell in love with, she could not allow this girl to gain the world and leave them in the dust. Unfortunately for the stepmother, Cinderella’s hope was not broken by the years of physical labor and mental and emotional abuse. She sings despite her circumstances and her little animal friends make sure to crack a window so the Prince’s officers can hear her beautiful melody. She is discovered and her stepmother makes a final attempt to forbid her from going down to meet the Prince. Cinderella refuses and takes a step toward the open door. Her stepmother grabs her arm forcefully, inflicting one last verbal jab, “Just remember who you are, you wretch!”
Cinderella descends the stairs from the attic while her Fairy Godmother narrates, “Would who she was, who she really was, be enough? There was no magic to help her this time. This is perhaps the greatest risk that any of us will take, to be seen as we truly are.”
The last time Cinderella saw the Prince, she arrived with all the pomp and circumstance of a legitimate princess, even if it was just a quick, temporary illusion. Magic helped transform a pumpkin into a carriage and farm animals into her attendants. Magic transformed her ruined dress into a stunning ball gown and of course, her ordinary shoes into exquisite, beautiful glass slippers. Magic also kept her family from recognizing her at the ball so she was free to dance and talk with the Prince. Even with the magic, Cinderella was still her kind and courageous self, but magic was her ticket into the palace for the chance to see the man she had met in the forest, the young apprentice Kit. In no time at all does she see for herself that Kit is actually the Prince of the kingdom. They dance and laugh and enjoy the evening, but was it just because he thought she was a princess after all? Or was it because of who she was, as Ella?
In this last scene we find Ella in her humble country dress, a bit dirty from her chores and life as a servant. Despite her nerves, she walks calmly into the sitting room where the Prince is waiting for her and lays it all on the line. She reveals who she really is. She is no princess and has no family or dowry. She is just an honest country girl who loves him. If you have seen the film you know it delivers a sweet and beautiful ending. I really encourage you to watch it if you need a feel good movie.
The dialogue by Fairy Godmother while Ella examines herself in the mirror before seeing the Prince again strikes me as something we all fear and perhaps shy away from. She’s right. It is a risk to be seen as we truly are – imperfections, weaknesses, bad days and all. Do you ever find yourself asking that question before you come to the Lord? Has it ever prevented you from coming to Him?
Is who I am, who I really am, enough?
Do the lingering lies of the enemy echo in your mind? Accusations fueled by the content of your past?
Sometimes I feel like I have some “magic” of my own in my relationship with Jesus, trying to clean or dress myself up, thinking surely if I do this or take care of that on my own, then I will be presentable before Him, pleasing to Him, worthy of His attention. But when all that pomp and circumstance, perhaps striving and performance, we add to our identity is stripped away, what is left? We think we’re not much to look at. Whether we admit it openly or not, we fear the Lord’s response. At least, this has been the case in my own life at times.
I don’t want Him to see me like this. Surely I’ve done it this time. Surely He can’t love me like this.
When the ministry falls or the job tanks, the money runs out, another relationship hits a nasty bump in the road, or that recurring destructive pattern tightens its grip, we believe we are what the enemy tries to tell us: useless, invisible, and not worth His time. But even when all of those things are gone, we are left as we are: image bearers. That has never changed.
But it is also a very real and sobering fact that sin has reared its ugly head in all of our lives. It is destructive and it is damaging. We have made bad judgments, poor choices. There is brokenness, addiction, darkness, and sadness in this world. The reality of sin can leave us feeling like Cinderella at the end of the film in her simple country dress. Not the appearance you want when you’re about to have an audience with the future King. But what does the Prince see? The dirt and dishevelment? Her simple dress? He sees her. The warmth in her eyes, the kind and courageous woman he knows her to be. That is how the Father sees you. When you come to know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, your record, your past is exchanged for His. Cinderella’s status as an ordinary citizen disqualified her as a worthy match for the Prince. And yet, the Prince saw who she really was and because he declared that enough, she walks out of what she had always known and into a new life by his side. The parallel isn’t perfect, but I hope you can track with me. The Father sees you in Christ, as His beloved child. He doesn’t want the cover ups or platitudes or what we think He wants to hear. He doesn’t want Instagram, he wants reality. He wants you. As you are. You are declared righteous in Christ! Because you’re with Jesus, you are invited to live a life beyond what you can ask or imagine. One marked by freedom, peace, and steadfast love.
The good news of the Gospel eliminates fear. To be seen as you truly are by God is no risk at all. In fact, it is a sure and secure comfort! Jesus came to rescue us, to deal with the sin and brokenness that have left His people, His image bearers wounded and weary. Because of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, you are invited into His living room, His very family. No matter what state you’re in, what has happened to you, or what you still struggle with, the cross has paid for it all. It is sufficient. If you are in Christ, there is no need to fear. In Christ you are accepted, forgiven, and loved. The enemy would have you believe otherwise, thinking your past permanently defines you, thinking you must measure up to some standard before you can be seen by Him or counted worthy of His love. Satan would whisper filth into your heart and mind, bringing up the sin, mistakes, and current struggles in your life, hoping it prevents you from coming to Him. But you are no longer a wretch, as Cinderella’s stepmother attempted to declare over her. You are no longer a slave or servant to fear – you are a beloved child of the Most High (Romans 8:15-16). You are forgiven. Come to Him. Walk into the living room with all boldness knowing He loves you, knowing Jesus’ blood covers you (Hebrews 4:16), knowing He’s going to be with you every step of what is yet to come (Matthew 28:20). You can face anything, so long as it’s with Him. That is what is true my friends!
Do not be afraid.
Let the Lord in.
I encourage you to be vulnerable with Jesus. He is the safest place you’ll ever know. And, He gets it. Whatever it is you’re walking through, He really, truly, deeply gets it.
Whatever darkness you think is too much for Him.
“This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” 1 John 1:15
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5
Whatever sin you think is beyond His redemption.
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:1-2
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
Whatever expectations you think you have failed to meet.
“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.” John 15:4
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
Am I enough, as I am? That is the wrong question to be asking.
Is Jesus enough, the I AM ? This is the question you need to wrestle with.
My friends, Scripture is clear, God Himself is Truth. The answer is a brilliant light dispelling every shadow of fear and doubt.
He is.
