Pride and Prejudice

It seems like everywhere I go someone is talking about the movie "Pride and Prejudice". I confess, this has become one of my favorites of all time so perhaps I am one of the reasons that subject keeps coming up. However, I am still astonished at the number of people - mostly younger women - that loudly proclaim this is one of their favorite movies also. A note here - I do have two male friends that enjoy the movie also- one young and one not so young.

This morning I am drawn to consider what it is about this fictional movie that attracts so many and make spiritual application. I feel a stirring deep in my soul for the truth that lies just beneath the surface.

How deep is your love?

If you aren't familiar with the story line it goes like this - set in the late 1700's or early 1800's the movie clearly shows the lines that were drawn between different social levels - distinctly pointing out the need for "good connections" in order to "make a good marriage" and therefore not have to worry about money, provision, or inheritance for children and any widows that may be left behind in the event that the husband/father passes on prematurely.

The story centers around the Bennett family - primarily Elizabeth Bennett and her relationship with Mr. Darcy. There are many excellent characters that keep you interested, however, the story is built around these two and the unlikely romance that develops between them.

In an era where manners are more important than just about everything else, Elizabeth Bennett is opinionated and offers her opinion in a very decided manner on more than one occasion. Just so you don't misjudge her in the event that you are not familiar with the movie, she's not cruel, just frank. Elizabeth is 20 years old.

Mr. Darcy is a man that is stiff with propriety. His manners are impeccable however his ability to relate on a personal level is crippled by his pride and arrogance because of his station in life. He is extremely wealthy. I have calculated Mr. Darcy to be around 26 years old.

In the first two thirds of the movie Elizabeth Bennett can hardly stand the sight of Mr. Darcy (for various reasons) and is confident that he feels the same way towards her. So, when he abruptly and without warning confesses his undying love for her and desire to marry her even though his family wouldn't approve and he barely approves himself, she immediately rebuffs him and sends him off in a huff.

Stay with me here - I'm getting there!

As other events unfold, gradually Elizabeth's heart begins to soften toward Mr. Darcy. And eventually - as we all hoped it would! - they end up madly in love with one another and marry. It is the hope of all that love this movie that at the end, the love they exhibit toward one another is - the kind that has already endured many testings and proved itself to be true -the kind of love that we will also find in this life.

There I believe lies the attraction of the movie. The promise that love can come, when you least expect it and from places where you would not have believed it could and that it will be of the deepest nature - a love that will endure any hardship that may come.

Oh, to find such a love is the longing of our hearts.

Yesterday was Valentine's Day - the day where all over the United States the emphasis on love is at it's peak - we are all challenged to "prove" our love for one another by buying flowers, candy, cards, dinner, diamonds, by the giving of extravagant gifts.

And yet, the One that loved us more than anyone ever could, already purchased for us the "ultimate gift". He paid for it with his very life. All of our efforts to show our love for one another fall pitifully short of this ultimate gift - only Jesus can offer us the gift of salvation. Flowers, dinner, candy and cards are but a poor imitation.

Now, don't get me wrong. I am a romantic. I love the outward displays of love and affection - I love the giving and receiving of gifts that attempt to express that deep emotion of love we hold for one another. We must work hard at not falling into the trap that the size of our love is accurately depicted by the size of the gift...(I confess that I have fallen into that trap many times....)

"How deep is your love? I really need to know." This is poor paraphrase of a song that was popular in the 70's. "How deep is your love?" That is the 64 thousand dollar question - how deep is your love - (for those of you that are too young to remember the program it was the forerunner to "Who wants to be a millionaire".)

How deep is your love?

Why is it so difficult for us to believe that we are already loved beyond measure? Why is it so difficult for us to live our lives in the knowledge and confidence that we are betrothed to our Bridegroom? Why is that we continue to look for love - often in all the wrong places - when we already have the free gift of love greater than any man could express - right here, right now, today.

Think about the engaged couple - the delight, joy, planning, and preparation they experience as they move toward their wedding day. The bride is smiling, joyful, excited, and at times stressed as she plans and prepares herself for her groom -

This is intended to be a picture of the church - "the bride of Christ" - as she prepares herself for her groom - He IS coming - He is coming soon -

His love is eternal. It has already endured the tests of time - He has already forgiven us for our many short comings; He has redeemed us from the pit; He has given all He is and has;

How deep is your love?

That longing that you feel - that emptiness in the pit of your heart - that place that isn't quite full - that is the receptacle waiting to be filled with the love of God. Receive His love -

He has already seen you at your worst (yes, without makeup and before you brush your teeth or take a shower), he was with you when you cursed your brother, your mother, your father - even when you turned your back on Him, He never left your side. He was there when you were abused - when you were mistreated - when others that were charged to love you, didn't. Jesus was there - He never left your side, not for one minute.

His love for you has already endured the test of time.

How deep is your love?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjD0lv8hx5o