Barbie (and Ken)

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
-1 Corinthians 13:6–7

Come on, Barbie, let’s go…to Sunnyside Daycare! (I’m sorry. I couldn’t help myself. I have the song Barbie Girl stuck in my head because of today's lesson.) We are continuing this discussion because of the lesson of "What Spills, reveals" at the Little Prairie Fall Retreat last weekend outside Rolla, MO.

When Barbie and Ken first meet in Toy Story 3, it seems like an instant connection. Barbie finds someone who understands her passion for fashion, and Ken finally meets the Barbie of his dreams.

They are adorable together!

Ken has the Dreamhouse. He has the clothes. He has the confidence. I mean, he somehow changes outfits multiple times during one fashion show! This guy appears to have everything figured out.

There is only one fairly significant problem: Ken works for Lotso. (The evil strawberry scented bear)

At first, Barbie is distracted by Ken, his Dreamhouse, and that incredible wardrobe. But when she learns how Lotso is treating the other toys, she makes an important decision. Barbie refuses to enjoy the comforts of Ken’s world while her friends are suffering.

Barbie chooses her friends over the Dreamhouse.
She chooses truth over comfort.
She chooses what is right over what is easy.

That decision reveals what is inside her.
This is another example of our theme: What Spills Reveals.

When Barbie discovers the truth about Sunnyside, loyalty, courage, and compassion spill out of her. She loves Ken, but she refuses to pretend that what he is doing is okay.

That is what biblical love looks like.

Love does not ignore evil to keep the peace. Love does not look away because confronting the truth might make things uncomfortable. According to Paul, love “does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.”

Sometimes the most loving thing we can do is tell someone the truth.
Barbie basically tells Ken, “You can be better than this!”

Now, her fashion-based interrogation methods may be questionable. Watching Ken’s favorite outfits get ripped apart is both hilarious and slightly traumatic. No one should have to watch a vintage Nehru jacket suffer like that!

But beneath the humor is an important truth: Barbie sees something good in Ken, even while refusing to excuse his choices. (Cool. Groovy!)

Ken has a decision to make. He can continue supporting Lotso and keep his comfortable life; or he can stand with Barbie and do what is right.

And that pressure reveals what has been inside Ken too.

At first, Ken wants to protect his position. He loves his Dreamhouse, his clothes, and the privileges he receives from Lotso. He knows what Lotso is doing is wrong, but doing the right thing could cost him everything.

How often do we face a similar struggle, friend?

Maybe we know something is wrong, but speaking up could cost us a friendship. Maybe doing the right thing could affect our popularity. Maybe following Jesus requires us to give up something comfortable.

We want Jesus-but we would also really like to keep the Dreamhouse.

Friend, what spills out of you when following Jesus becomes uncomfortable?
Is it courage or compromise?
Is it love or selfishness?
Is it truth or whatever answer will keep everyone happy?

Ken initially allows fear, comfort, and selfishness to control his decisions. But thankfully, that is not the end of his story. Because of Barbie’s courage and example, Ken eventually stands against Lotso.

He makes a different choice.

Ken’s change reminds us that what spills out of us today does not have to define what fills us tomorrow. When God reveals something unhealthy within us, we can repent. We can change direction. We can allow Him to replace selfishness with love, fear with courage, and compromise with conviction.

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
-1 John 3:18

Barbie and Ken said they cared for one another, but eventually, their actions had to prove it.

Barbie showed love by refusing to leave her friends behind. Ken showed love AND repentance by finally standing against Lotso, even though it meant giving up his comfortable position. (FAR OUT!)

By the end of the movie, they help transform Sunnyside Daycare. A place that had been controlled by fear becomes a place where toys are treated with kindness and respect.

All because someone was willing to speak the truth—and someone else was willing to listen and change.

Who is your Barbie, friend?
Who loves you enough to tell you the truth when you are headed in the wrong direction?
And are you humble enough to listen?

Maybe you need to be a Barbie today. Maybe you need to speak the truth lovingly, stand beside someone who is hurting, or refuse to participate in something you know is wrong.

Or maybe you need to be a Ken. Maybe God is showing you that you have been choosing comfort over conviction. If so, don’t make excuses. Admit it, turn around, and make a different choice!

When life puts pressure on us, what is inside will eventually spill out.

May our lives reveal a love that rejoices in truth, protects others, and has the courage to do what is right—even when it costs us the Dreamhouse. -Zac

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. -Philippians 2:3