Content Without Lament

The new Barbie Movie

You may say wonder, “Why Barbie?”

The answer rests in the ideas conveyed within a story that has been advertised and exploited since March 9, 1959.

I use that term not as a derogatory thing, but to explain that like many of the photo shopped images we see of models…the standard is fake.

If you were to give the comparisons to scale:

If she were 5’ 9” tall, she would have an 18” waist and weigh around 110 lbs.

The new movie is a meant to be a modern feminist/inclusive work.

Meaning it is meant to be a movie of empowerment towards women & the LGBTQIA+ communities. There are Barbies of all sizes, races, professions, etc.

But this movie also has a trans Barbie.

It also is not meant for children. (Language, Innuendos, Themes, etc.)

Let’s get to the plot...

The movie starts in a narrated monologue 2001: Space Odyssey sort of flavor.

The narrator speaks of Barbie changing playtime for girls forever by making them dream of more than being a mother.

Then it takes you to the world of Barbieland… Barbies are in control of everything…President, Supreme Court, Nobel laureates, surgeons, etc.

They assume the real world is just like this and the main barbie…believes this more than anyone. She is supposed to be “perfect”

She host parties and sleepovers with her friends including her boyfriend.

Her “Ken” basically sits around the beach with the other Ken’s yearning for Barbie.

When she starts to have thoughts of death she loses her permanent foot arch and gets a spot of cellulite.

She will continue to go down hill if she does not go into the human world, find her little girl who plays with her, and cheer her up.

During this time she is confronted by the fact that women are not exactly like the Barbie world and Ken well he realizes men have a little more power in the human world.

Why Barbie, Probably because of the realization that ever human standard at its highest is not enough.

James 1:14–15 ESV

14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

Two Questions About Being Content:

What does Content mean?

Content: to appease the desires of

Ecclesiastes 3:13 ESV

13 also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man.

1808 My crown is in my heart, not on my head;

Not deck’d with diamonds and Indian stones,

Nor to be seen: my crown is call’d content;

A crown it is that seldom kings enjoy.

William Shakespeare

What Brings Contentment?

Peace — A recognition that He, meaning Christ, is enough regardless of situation.

Philippians 4:7 ESV

7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Communion with God gives a peace that is indescribable. I love the way Max Lucado says this:

 2   Believing prayer ushers in God’s peace. Not a random, nebulous, earthly peace, but his peace. Imported from heaven. The same tranquility that marks the throne room, God offers to you.

Max Lucado

Come Thirsty (2004)

Max Lucado

or Billy Graham

Christ alone can bring lasting peace—peace with God—peace among men and nations—and peace within our hearts.

Billy Graham

Two Oppositions from Barbie towards Contentment:

Insecurity

Jealousy

Let’s Deal With Insecurities:

Ephesians 2:10 ESV

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Jeremiah 1:4–5 ESV

4 Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

When we recognize we are formed perfectly imperfect in the way Christ designed…the focus can return to Him.

 3   When Christ becomes our central focus, contentment replaces our anxiety as well as our fears and insecurities.

Chuck Swindoll

Let’s Deal With Jealousy:

Ecclesiastes 4:4 ESV

4 Then I saw that all toil and all skill in work come from a man’s envy of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

Jealousy, or envy, has two forms. One form says, “I want what someone else has.”

John F. MacArthur

Two Ways We Surrender Our Contentment:

James 1:14 (ESV)

14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.

Fishing Lure

Something found attractive

But these are not of God.

James 1:13 ESV

13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.

These are of self.

We surrender when we allow ourselves to consider:

Lured

Enticed

Sin Separates Us From Contentment

James 1:15 ESV

15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

Walking Away, But In...

Be Content

Be at Peace

Be Prepared