Remove My Helmet
By Lexi Ellis
“...because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.Romans 10: 9-10 (ESV)
By Lexi Ellis
“...because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.Romans 10: 9-10 (ESV)
In the musical Shrek, Donkey asks Shrek the ogre who he would be if he could be someone different. Shrek sings/responds how he’d be a Viking or poet or the hero in the story... anything different than being hated and despised without anyone truly knowing him. [1]
Some of the lines in the song are these:
“So yes I'd be a hero, and if my wish was granted
Life would be enchanted, or so the stories say.
Of course I'd be a hero, and I would scale a tower
And save a hot-house flower, and carry her away
But standing guard would be a beast, I'd somehow overwhelm it,
I'd get the girl, I'd take my breath, and I'd remove my helmet.” [2]
Life would be enchanted, or so the stories say.
Of course I'd be a hero, and I would scale a tower
And save a hot-house flower, and carry her away
But standing guard would be a beast, I'd somehow overwhelm it,
I'd get the girl, I'd take my breath, and I'd remove my helmet.” [2]
The line “remove my helmet” is poignant because, in the show, Shrek completes the job of rescuing Princess Fiona. She assumes he is her Prince Charming and demands he remove his helmet. After debating, Shrek does and Fiona does not hide her disappointment very well.
Isn’t that really what we all want? Regardless of age, our deepest desire is to remove our mask or helmet and be loved regardless of who we truly are...however flawed or ugly we think (or are told) we are. Some would argue a basic human need involves being accepted. Whether middle-schoolers or adults or young children, I think one of our deepest desires is to “remove our helmet” and be accepted regardless.
Aren’t you glad God created that desire and also fills it personally?! Scripture is clear that not only did God love us enough to send His Son, but He also accepts us as we are and invites us into a transforming relationship with Him. There is no rejection when we remove our helmet with God. It is a relationship where we can approach His throne without fear...because of His work on the cross.
Shrek longs for being accepted when he removes his helmet. We have the privilege of experiencing that through the grace of the cross. May we be those who live that Truth.
GOING DEEPER:
1. Do you still experience fear when removing your helmet before God?
2. What do you need to do to remember He accepts you as you are?
FUTHER READING:
Lexi and her husband, Andrew, have an adorable dog named Calvin. Lexi teaches sixth grade Reading and Writing. She serves with Children’s Ministries and is the Fresh Start Coordinator.
[1] Listen to the song by clicking HERE.
[2] http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/shrekthemusical/whoidbe.htm
[2] http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/shrekthemusical/whoidbe.htm
