The reason I mention it here is that it speaks to one of the world’s most serious problems—differences in the appearance and behavior of people - people in our families, communities, nations, and all over the world.
God created all kinds of people—people of different sizes, shapes, colors, and languages. And what did God say when he created the people and the world we live in?
He said, “It is very good!”
“Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good!”—Genesis 1:31 NLT
Have you ever heard it said, “God doesn’t make junk?” Of course, you have; we all have.
If God doesn’t make junk, and he said that everything and everyone he made is very good, then why do we argue and fight against those who are different from us? Good question!
The story of Shrek and Fiona and her family in Shrek 2 tells of their trip to Far, Far Away Kingdom where her parents live—the king and queen. As the story unfolds, Shrek and Fiona drink a magic potion that changes them from homely, green Ogres into a beautiful couple
like her parents and all the people in their Kingdom. Everyone looks alike. Get the picture? No differences in their appearance or behavior or the way they talk.
Everyone is happy, right?
Wrong!
Fiona decides she loves Shrek and wants them to be just as they were before—homely Ogres.
What is significant about the movie is this:
Love and happiness have nothing to do with appearance or culture or where you live. To God, everybody and everything he created is beautiful—very good!
Sometimes I think our world is upside down.
So many people and institutions place value on other people based on appearance, culture, the way they talk or walk or any of a dozen other things—that is the opposite of how God made us.
We are made to love God and love each other. Only then can we see the real beauty in other people and in nature. Only then will we know real joy and happiness the way God intended:
Jesus said it in John 10:10,
“I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”