The Gospel in 'Encanto'

Dear reader,

A few years back a film snuck under the radar of most. It’s called ‘Encanto’, I’d like to draw out a beautiful illustration of the Gospel. 

The Madrigal Family is one filled with wonderful powers and capabilities. Some are ridiculously strong, have healing abilities, or can talk to animals. 

Yet there is one member who is not special. Mirabel. 

She gets reminded over and over that she doesn’t have a gift and therefore doesn’t have a part to play in the family. 

2 things were hammered home within my spirit throughout this story’s unfolding. 

1. The Church’s demeanor towards ‘un-gifted’ people. 

I am reminded of 1 Corinthians 12, and how Paul clearly states that the church is made up of many members, and how each member must play it’s role. 

A body would be dead and unhelpful if the heart decided to take a holiday. A body wouldn’t move if the feet took off. A body would be severely affected if each part went its separate way thinking they weren’t important enough to be used. 

My friends, my church, we must be active in serving the body of Christ. There are no passive roles in the kingdom, if God has given you breath that means you have gifts and abilities that are meant to serve the church. 

Do not think you are not useful if you aren’t on a stage each Sunday morning. 

2. We are all broken and in need of a savior.

Near the climax of the story, Abuela confronts Mirabel for being the reason everyone is losing their ‘magical’ gifts. 

Mirabel meets with multiple family members actively asking them about their feelings, passions, and ultimately their downfalls. 

Each family member felt a growing pressure to perform and give off the persona of perfection. Yet, when the walls came down, each member felt a deep sense of relief to be known, heard, and loved no matter their downfalls. 

This right here was the gospel moment that stuck out to me. When each character came to the end of themself they knew that they needed something more than themself. 

We are a family of broken people. Held together by God’s grace and love. We need to be constant in reminding others of our shortcomings and confessing them to one another, so we can truly find the healing that the Gospel gives us so freely. 

If we don’t, we are robbing God of the opportunity to work on each other individually and as a whole. 

Sincerely

Your Fellow Broken Brother, 

-Mitchell