So, Cinderella wants to go to the ball...in fact, she is entitled to go to the ball. She is, after all, an eligible maiden. She knows it will be difficult, but she and her friends work super hard in order that she be able to go. They do everything in their power to get her there. However, even though they have worked it out in their own minds, through their own hands, and with their own efforts, she is confronted with a storm that she was not prepared for. Envision Cinderella, gliding down the stairs, with complete self-confidence and gratitude for her friends' efforts. She is on cloud nine, so proud of all that they accomplished together. Her world changes in an instant: her dreams and plans are literally ripped from her. There was no reason...she'd done nothing wrong, but the storms of life came crushing over her. She was left confused, devastated, wearing the signs of her struggle.
Cinderella runs away, an emotional wreck. In fact, she states, " I can't believe. Not anymore. There's nothing left to believe in. Nothing."
Wow...seems a bit dramatic, right? I mean, it's just a dress. Just a party. She is blessed with good health, with friends who adore her, she lives in a beautiful home. Sure, she is pretty much a slave, but it could be so much worse: buck up, beautiful! To her, though, this party exemplifies her life...it was her chance to be normal, her chance to enjoy life outside the confines of her room and with actual people. It all seems a loss....
You know the story: thankfully this is not the end of it! Surprising materials (pumpkin) and animals (mice/horse/dog) were used in insane ways to create a night that Cinderella could never have begun to dream of: a night that changed her existence and future. Had things gone according to her plan, she'd have been able to get out of the house, but would've been stuck with Drizella and Anastasia all night. You've been to enough parties and proms to know that the prince wouldn't have come within ten feet of her if she kept company like them! She certainly would never have known the exciting life available to her!
So, how much are we like Cinderella? When something does not go our way, we lose faith. When life pulls the proverbial sash from our dress, we revolt because we are good...perhaps we think that because we love God and try our best to do everything He asks us to, that we are entitled to go to the ball. Why would God allow these storms of life to come? Why does He allow these bad things to happen..."Haven't I suffered enough, Lord?" It's easy...too easy...to fall into this 'poor, pitiful me' trap (take a look at Psalm 88). But, what Cinderella couldn't see...what we cannot see, is that sometimes God uses these times of suffering to show us what He can do if we just rely on Him!
We, even if we do not mean to, often put God in a box. I bet Cinderella would never have dreamed that mice could become horses. She might have said "that's impossible!" In the same way, Balaam surely never dreamed he would have a conversation with his donkey, but God is able (Numbers 22: 28). Moses never would have imagined that he could hit a rock and get water, but God is able (Numbers 20:11). I could go on and on: The Bible is full of instances wherein God uses unexpected items to do great things! NOTHING is impossible with God (Luke 1:37). It's hard for us to understand, but it's true!
If life always went according to my plan, I'd miss out on the blessings that God has for me. I'd miss out on the miracles and the strength and peace that I receive only from relying totally on him. Cinderella's life was ever changed, and ours can be too! Don't lose faith in the storms: use the storms to see God at work in your life. He just might be getting ready to totally wow you!
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