I went to the theater this past weekend with my daughter in love to see the musical movie adaptation of "Wicked." I had never seen the Broadway version before, so my only frame of reference was the original movie "The Wizard of Oz." I knew the musical was loosely based on the movie and that it featured two main characters, Glinda and Elphaba. Without any context, I never expected to be so moved.
I remember when I was a child, long before DVDs and digital streaming, we waited for "The Wizard of Oz" to be shown on television. It would come on once a year and if you were not tuned in, you missed it until next year. I absolutely loved the music. However, my childlike mind found some of the players quite frightening. Frankly, I hated the flying monkeys. They terrified me. And of course, the Wicked Witch, was as downright scary as she was meant to be to all us 'munchkins.'
From the first scene of the movie, it becomes clear that "Wicked" is a prequel to Oz. This story is going to reveal how the characters, good and evil, came to be the ones we knew as children. If you remember, the original movie starts in black and white. Much like my own childhood understanding of good and evil. As they transition toward Oz, a rainbow of color and shades become visible. With adulthood comes the understanding that not everything is always as it appears. Evil can lurk under the cloak of good. As I sat in my theater seat, I was profoundly struck that the journey on the yellow brick road is downright biblical. We are all on a narrow path trying to get back home. Who knew that the prequel would start off with a deep philosophical and theological question?
Are people born wicked or do they have wickedness thrust upon them?
Wicked is the story about the difference between nice and kind. Galinda is nice. However, her character although endearing, shows us that niceness is performative. It is a helpful tool to remain popular but goes away when inconvenienced or offended. We see this in the Ozdust ballroom scene when Galinda has to sit with the reality that although she considers herself "nice" she is capable of doing something quite wicked. The scene is beautifully gut wrenching as it is a truth we all need to see in ourselves. Kindness involves acting in another's best interest even if it involves pain. It is synonymous with moral, generous and good. Leading up to this moment, we learn that Elphaba is actually the one who is kind.
The irony is we know that it is Galinda that ultimately becomes the "Good Witch". But our whole understanding of good has just been turned upside down. How things look on the surface, (or skin-deep) are not always what they really are. Goodness ultimately is not just niceness. It is kindness. There is a huge difference. Jesus makes this point when talking to a man about the kingdom of God.
As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother. "Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.” Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." Jesus is telling us something about the nature of God and ourselves. God is not just nice. He is kind. And we often fall short.
Jesus is saying, you can't just live by a set of rules and think that earns you favor with God. You can't do a bunch of "good" things and think that earns your salvation or his pleasure. We are not called by God to be productive; that is performative. We are instructed to be fruitful; there is a profound difference. Behaviors and actions are fruitful only when they occur as an outflow and under the specific direction of the Holy Spirit because those are his qualities. "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self- control." (Galatians 5) Only fruit-bearers produce for the Kingdom and only fruit will be credited to us as righteousness. " The apostle Paul stresses the importance of this distinction. " If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing." (1st Corinthians 13:3)
I am learning God cares much more about everyday ordinary acts of kindness or instances to show fruit, than he does about grand gestures. Going on mission trips or building houses is good. But if how you treat your family, your neighbor across the street, or the people you encounter at work falls short, this matters more in kingdom development than merely doing nice acts for strangers. Of course, we are called to serve. But the motivation should be love and kindness led in the moment by the Spirit; this is authentic. The world is craving authentic Christians. When your faith appears performative, it kills your witness about who God is. I think this is why Jesus cursed the fig tree. "Early in the morning, as Jesus was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered." (Matthew 21) This passage always seemed confusing to me. But once you realize that when you see foliage the tree should be bearing figs, you understand his disgust. All leaves and no fruit. The appearance suggested the expectation of something good. But ultimately there was no fruit. It is a warning about false pretenses. God always cares more about the condition of your heart.
The other result is that people can become projects. Galinda is even cheeky enough to admit this once she 'befriends' Elphaba. She tells her, " Now that we're friends, I've decided to make you my new project." Elphaba replies, "You don't have to do that." Galinda replies, "I know. That's what makes me so nice."
The bible tells us that it is God's kindness that leads to change and repentance. I can tell you this is true. Kindness might allow something deemed as painful to lead to what is ultimately for your good. I can say that during one of the worst events that I've endured, God was there in my every day showing me His kindness. Not niceness, but true kindness. And through that experience, I have learned to care less about how things appear and more about how they are.
As we left the theater, my daughter in law asked me which character I liked better. Glinda or Elphaba. I couldn't answer. I felt so much emotion for each one that it was impossible to choose. Why? Because I saw myself in each of them. For most of my life, I was Galinda. As a life -long people pleaser, I was at times overly concerned with seeking approval; I was captive to performance. I thought for a long time I needed to be productive for God as well. Looking back, I realize so many times I fell short in demonstrating kindness. His kindness towards me has allowed me to see this and repent. And now, I find myself deeply relating to Elphaba. In letting go of what I thought were the desires of my heart, I have found freedom. "And if I'm flying solo, at least I'm flying free. " I choose kind over nice.
