Life

"I would rather die today than live another day of this death."

Thus speaks Snow White in the recently released movie, Snow White and the Huntsman. I am not about to write a rave review or a cynical account. I'm sure you can find plenty of those elsewhere, and they are probably much better written too. However, I found this movie very striking. Yes, it was creepy and disturbing in parts, but then Real Evil, no matter how sugar coated, is just that: creepy and disturbing. I suppose some could mock the heroine for being too good and too pure to be realistic, but then Real Good, no matter how battered, is just that: good and pure.

Snow White possessed a genuine yet non-ostentatious beauty, and her womanly innocence at not being sure if she could bear to kill someone made her appealing. So much of that side of womanhood has been lost in our culture. Yes, there is a time to ride and to fight but there is also a time to cherish life. That is what defines the Good from the Evil. That is what distinguishes the mother with the work worn hands and calloused knees from the political lady screaming for battle against anyone who would ask the government to stop funding Planned Parenthood. They both fight, but one is full of blood lust and the other is full of love. Love for life.

Life. That is what Snow White brought to everyone she met. Ailments of those around her started disappearing. Her simple beauty brought out the best in people. She kindled hope wherever she went. She noted the sacrifices of her people, and though afraid she resolved to make her own sacrifice so her people could be free from the reign of evil. The Enemy had occupied Snow White's kingdom long enough.

However, the Enemy seemed to be invincible. The only one who could kill the evil Queen was Snow White herself. Why? Because her purity gave her power. Only by the fairest blood could the witch's blood be spilt. Only her sacrifice could free her people. Only she could be their weapon.

Is it just me, or does that story not yell, "Redemptive analogy!" high and low? Can't you feel the vibes of the Gospel? Can't you see Jesus peering at you through the lines? I can. Call me Miss Christian Wannabe Artist Who Makes Up Analogies Out Of Stone, but this one seems pretty obvious to me. And it excites me that things like this are lapped up by the public even today. It makes me want to shout, "This is real, people! This story has happened--is happening, right under your noses, only it's even better!!!"

My favorite scene of the movie is not when Snow White finally slays the Witch (I'm pretty sure you would have guessed that ending anyway). It's when she speaks to her people. She has just "risen from the dead," brought back by love that is stronger than death, and she has wandered out to the courtyard where her people are. The night is dark, but her long white dress lights up the evening. Every eye is on her. She begins to speak. Although some have called her speech "tepid," I found it warming my blood in a way such people wouldn't understand.

She proposes her plan: she will offer herself as the only weapon that can slay the witch. They must not be content with the way things are. They must fight. Fight for freedom. Fight for light. Fight for life. And then she utters these words that have imprinted themselves firmly on my brain:

"I would rather die today than live another day of this death!"

Then,

"Who will ride out with me? Who will be my brother?"

How could a script writer know the kind of effect such words could have? Do they know that Jesus has invited me to ride out with Him? Do they know that one day Christ's people will have the chance to ride at His side in the white cavalry? Do they know that Hebrews 2:11-12 calls those who believe in Him brothers of Christ? I believe He is extending this invitation out to everyone every day. "Who will ride out with Me? Who will be My brother?"

And then there's that first sentence, resembling an onion it's so full of layers.

I would rather die today than live another day of this death.

Do we ever allow ourselves to live in death? Do we refuse to see the love and compassion of God because we don't want to be accountable to somebody besides "our own truth"? Do we labor to win the love of God and end up enslaved in self-condemnation (Romans 8:1)? Do we hold onto our worries instead of casting them on God (1 Peter 5:7)? Remember that Jesus came so that we can have life, and have it ABUNDANTLY!!! (John 10:10) We don't have to live lives of death anymore; Jesus died so we could live lives of life.

At the same time, are we content to just live that life all to ourselves? Shouldn't we develop that same Snow White spirit that says that we would rather die than see the world continue to live in death? Shouldn't we be yearning to see that covering swallowed up for all time and living in faith for it to happen (Isaiah 25:7)? Shouldn't we be fighting for that life for others? Shouldn't we be waiting in breathless expectation for the time when Jesus returns and we can join Him in ending this living death for good?

I'm not saying that I live this way. But I am saying that I want to. I want to make those choices: to live to the full today, to fight for life for others, and to live longing for the day when Christ shall come and we can ride with Him to end this death forever. We already have our Weapon. He is fairest of them all. His blood has proven it.

Let's live lives of life.