Lessons from Marry Poppins the Musical
What's better - a good idea or a good man? Mr. Banks has to make a choice between two investments. He must consider what is better - a good idea or a good man? In the end, the good man was a better investment. Proverbs has some things to say about integrity.
"Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out." Proverbs 10:9
"The integrity of the upright guidest them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by duplicity."
Proverbs 11:3
When are you going to learn to look past what you see? Jane and Michael look down on the servants because of their lower social status, Bert because he's dirty, and the bird woman because she is wearing rags. Mary Poppins challenges them to look beyond what they see. This reminded me of 1 Samuel 16:7, "The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."
Just because a person may look a certain way on the outside, doesn't mean they are not to be treated with kindness and concern. In the VBS skit this summer, the kids will be reminded that Christians come from all walks of life. There isn't a way they are "supposed" to look.
But I also considered that sometimes we have to live by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). And that "faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see (Hebrews 11:1). We may not see God personally. We were not alive to see Jesus in the flesh. We cannot see the Holy Spirit. But that does not mean that they are not present with us, that they are not working in and through our lives. By faith we are saved (Ephesians 2:8). We can trust that God will work all things for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28). We have a future hope no matter how bad things may seem in the present (Jeremiah 29:11).
A spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down. A couple of different ideas came to mind with this one. First there was the contrast of how Mary Poppins related to the kids vs. how Mrs. Andrews did. Mary Poppins taught the children through games and fun while Mrs. Andrews was stern and cross. This made me think of the guideline in Ephesians 6:4 to not exasperate our children but to "bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." I see this as a reminder to discipline with love and compassion.
But later in the show, the idea developed that in the midst of difficult situations, the stress and concern can be lightened if we count our blessings. I began this habit several years ago in the midst of my husband's cancer treatment. When things were challenging, we took the time to be thankful for things that were good in our lives. When Mr. Banks tells his wife they could loose everything, Mrs. Banks says they will have the most important things - each other.
When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy. Psalm 94:19
Anything is possible if you let it. Matthew 19:26 tells us that "with God all things are possible." And in Philippians 4:13 Paul said, "I can do all this who gives me strength." Whatever God calls us to do, He will equip us for. We see this in the lives of people from the Bible such as Noah, Moses, Gideon, and Paul.
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
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