If you asked Michala when she was little who her favorite Disney Princess was, she would, without hesitation, respond, “Sleeping Beauty.” I think it was because Aurora (Sleeping Beauty) wore pink. It really had nothing to do with the plot line, although she very much liked the movie. She giggled when Flora, Fauna and Merryweather (the fairies,)would appear. But it was Maleficent, the villain, who Michala quoted, the most often.
“But, before the sun sets on her 16th birthday, she shall prick her finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel, and DIE!” There was so much dramatic emphasis coming out of her small, tiny, three year old voice. I got such a kick out of the level of drama when Michala would repeat this famous line from the villain in Sleeping Beauty.
One of the things we learn early in life when reading books or watching movies is there is typically a hero and a villain. The villain is sometimes a prominent role in the story and sometimes there is just a brief reference to the villain/bad character portrayal. There is almost always a lesson to be learned from the villain’s character.
The villain even offers growth to the main character when you think about it. We do not normally see a change in character for the villain, but we do see the main character changing/growing/evolving.
Villains play a pretty significant role in movies and books. We need to not let them play big, significant roles in real life, though. Villains are just paragraphs in our stories, they should not be the central focus.
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” -Romans 12:18 (NIV)
I love this verse. Paul is reminding us of three very important things in this one verse.
If it is possible.
As far as it depends on you.
Live at peace with everyone.
“If it is possible” means, if you are able to do so, try everything in your power. You cannot control the words and actions of someone else, but you can do as much as possible, on your end, to get along with the difficult people.
“As far as it depends on you” reiterates you are only responsible for yourself. You cannot turn a “villain” into a saint. So as far as it depends on you, be nice. Be kind. Show love.
“Live at peace with everyone” means don’t pick fights. Don’t go looking for an argument. This is not the time to show everyone how fluent we are, in sarcasm. We are not going to agree with everyone on everything, but this does not mean we need to be at battle/war with those of opposing opinions.
We are not always going to get along or be friends with everyone. Some people will dislike us just for the way the wind blows our hair, and no matter how many times you spray it or comb it, they just will not like you. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. But when the “villain” in your story continues to show vitriol, then remember the sage words of Jesus, “If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.” - Matthew 10:14 (NIV)
Shake it like a Polaroid picture, and move on. Jesus has work for you to do. And even more importantly, remember the villains in your life do not represent Jesus. They represent the enemy. So love them, even if you love them from a distance where you no longer see them, and pray Jesus throws a parade in their heart.
Villains turning their lives over to Jesus just makes this place look more like Heaven.