I Behold the Luminescence

This week we're talking about I See the Light from Tangled! Here's a link to the lyrics.

This is a classic Disney falling in love song. There's flowers, hand-holding, float-y lights, and a boat. What more could you want? If I were to summarize this song, I would say that it's about two people who felt lost, alone, and purposeless prior to meeting and spending a bunch of time together. Now that they have, they feel like their whole reason for being is explained. This is summed up in the words, "At last I see the light." The realization that this other person is the fulfillment of their purpose and desires is like a light switch being flipped on.

One of the biggest critiques of Disney movies from a biblical worldview has always been the idea that if you're life as a single person is dull and pointless, just wait. When you're true love shows up, you'll be happy and fulfilled! Anyone who's either married or is good friends with someone who is married can cognitively admit that this is not true. However, as a society, it's very ingrained in us, and what's more, we want to be able to believe it. It's a nice thought that once "true love" comes, we'll be happy, and everything will be happily ever after.

The truth is, human relationships are important, but they can never bring us lasting fulfillment. That includes kids, parents, significant others, close friends, etc. The only relationship that can bring us lasting happiness and fulfillment is our relationship with God. Knowing who He says we are, grasping how much He loves us, understanding He has a purpose for our lives, and pursuing Him and that purpose with our whole being will bring us more joy than even the perfect partner (which doesn't exist) could.

So the next time you're thinking (and I'm telling myself this, too), 'Man, if I could just fall in love, my life would be perfect,' stop and remind yourself that if you're living the plan God has for you, your life is better than perfect. If you're not, do a course correction and start enjoying God and His incredible plan for your life.