Joining my first small group this summer has been my best experience yet at Seacoast. We are reading a book together called Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge that touches on the heart of women and our desires for three things: to be romanced, to play an irreplaceable role in a great adventure, and to unveil beauty. In the movie Wonder Woman, Diana Prince embodies these desires that reside in the heart of every woman. She experiences romance and takes part in a great adventure as a warrior—all without losing any femininity.
To be Romanced
Diana’s world turns upside down when Captain Steve Trevor, an American World War I pilot (and spy) crashes into the ocean near her secluded island home, Themyscira. She saves him from his sinking plane and swims him to shore. Over the course of the movie, their relationship moves beyond an alliance into a true respect and understanding of each other. Diana does not diminish her strength and power for a man; neither does she feel the need to hide from love to preserve her identity as a warrior. She reminds us there can be a balance—women do not need to sacrifice love to be strong, or sacrifice strength to be loved.
“Women do not need to sacrifice love to be strong, or sacrifice strength to be loved.”
To Lead a Great Adventure
Diana really takes on the persona of Wonder Woman, beginning her great adventure, when she leaves the paradise of Themyscira to save the human race from war and devastation. She believes that she alone can defeat the bad guy behind all war and suffering. She takes on the classic good vs. evil battle, but gives it a refreshing twist. Wonder Woman is a heroine who maintains her signature characteristics of beauty, hope, and love from the comics, but she can also defeat anyone—man or woman—in a battle. More importantly, she has the strength to make sacrifices for what she believes in; Wonder Woman puts others before herself and isn’t afraid to make the tough decisions.
@curtissimmons
To Unveil Beauty
Wonder Woman unveils her beauty to the world as she is saving it. Like several women in the Bible—Esther, Mary, and Ruth—Diana is not one dimensionally beautiful. She is not—and they are, “not ‘safe’ and ’nice’ women, not merely ’sweet,’ but passionate and powerful women who are beautiful as warriors.” Watching Wonder Woman fearlessly throw down her cape and run into No-Man’s Land to end a stalemate and save an entire town, is inspiring. Women are warriors in their own right. God made us to be warriors for his kingdom. And like Diana, we have no reason to hide our strength and beauty.
I think Paul says it best in 1 Corinthians 11:7, man “is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man.” Wonder Woman is beautiful not despite her passion and strength, but because of it.
What about you? What great adventure is God leading you toward right now?
