I was not excited when my husband and I went with two of our closest friends to see the new movie adaptation of Cats.
Although I do enjoy musicals, I’d rather see a live show than a movie (except for maybe High School Musical…Go Wild Cats!). And let’s be honest, Cats is CREEPY.
The costumes, sultry CGI movements, and don’t get me started on the odd plot about cat sacrifice.
If you love Cats, I’m sorry if I’ve offended you. I actually did find redeeming qualities to this film that struck me deep.
Even beyond the incredible ballet dancing and Jennifer Hudson’s ballad was a theme often overlooked in modern movies.
While pretty much everyone in the movie is concerned with trying to be chosen as a “jellicle cat” so they can be sacrificed and reborn into a new and better life (I know, it’s disturbing), the main cat, Victoria, is different.
Victoria sees a cat who is all alone, ridiculed and beaten down–thrown into the alley. Grizabella is just the shadow of the star she was in the past.
Grizabella’s heart-wrenching song and tearful gaze could make an audience weep. And while everyone rejects her, Victoria sees her, and reaches out her hand.
Victoria could have done what most of us would do (had it all not been creepy). She could have used her talent, beauty, and kindness to get a better life for herself.
Even I rooted for her because she was one of the only characters I could stand.
But Victoria looked beyond herself–beyond her own needs and desires–and she chose to lift someone else up instead.
Victoria reached into the shadows, found a rejected, worn-out, lost soul, and loved her.
She rescued one of the least of these.
And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me. (Matthew 25:40 NKJV)
Isn’t this supposed to be the Christian walk? Aren’t we supposed to reach into the alleyways of our work, schools, and communities to find the least of these?
We all know someone. Maybe it’s that girl in the back of the classroom who’s quiet–the one everyone mocks in secret.
Maybe it’s the single mom at work struggling to pay the bills and feel good enough for her child.
Perhaps it’s the older man on the street corner who’s begging for some cash–and for someone to stop and look him in the eye.
When we reach out to the least of these–the people who are often neglected, left out, or in desperate situations–we reach out to Jesus Himself.
Lovely one, if you want to grow close to God, start loving the lost children He passionately died for.
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The closer we get to the ones Jesus loves, the closer we become to His heart.
I don’t know about you, but I really want to love the Lord like crazy. My desire is to know His heart and walk intimately with Jesus. I want to please Him, just like a new bride wishes to please her groom.
So next time I ever see a Cats poster or hear the “Memories” ballad, I will remember God’s call for each of us to shine His light in the darkness.
We all have a part to play in redeeming this fallen world, and I want mine to count–not just for me–but for someone else in need.
I know I have all the reward I could ask for when I think of the approval and unfailing love of the Lord.
What about you, lovely one? Who comes to mind when you think of loving the least of these? How will you step out to reach them? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below. 🙂
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