I have found so many insightful truths from the movie(s) Princess Diaries and Princess Diaries 2! Even though I could probably quote the movies verbatim, occasionally as I listen, some quotes stir me as if it's the first time I have heard them. Let me set up the scene from which this quote comes.
Princess Mia has been having a rough go of things. She is engaged to be married to a man (Andrew) she is clearly not in love with but is choosing to overlook that fact for the sake of the crown. However, she is being wooed by a man (Nicholas) that she does find attractive and is drawn to although he is trying to steal her crown. Mia has just had another interaction with Nicholas in which he kisses her causing much confusion and chaos that leaves the two of them soaking wet from falling in a fountain. Princess Mia shamefully heads back to the palace.
The next scene is Queen Clarice reprimanding Mia for her actions in essence asking Mia when will she grasp the concept that she is a princess, on the road to queen-dom. Mia responds by saying "The concept IS grasped. The execution is a little elusive!"
Quite often, I feel like Princess Mia. I can relate with her in so many ways and on so many levels. I understand the "concept" but sometimes the execution is a little elusive or a little out of reach. Paul talks about this idea in Romans 7:
14-16I can anticipate the response that is coming: "I know that all God's commands are spiritual, but I'm not. Isn't this also your experience?" Yes. I'm full of myself—after all, I've spent a long time in sin's prison. What I don't understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise. So if I can't be trusted to figure out what is best for myself and then do it, it becomes obvious that God's command is necessary.
17-20But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can't keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don't have what it takes. I can will it, but I can't do it. I decide to do good, but I don't really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don't result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time.
21-23It happens so regularly that it's predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God's commands, but it's pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge.
Paul got the "concept" but the execution was elusive. Your "concept" may not be a sin issue as Paul was talking about. The "concept" for you might be that you "know" that you are God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2) but executing that might be difficult or a little elusive for you. I don't know what it is you are struggling to execute in your life but God does and He has promised to help us in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16).
Ultimately, by the end of the movie, Princess Mia not only grasped the concept, she was able to execute it and execute it well as Queen of Genovia. It may take us a little longer than an hour and a half movie to get there but we are well on our way!
Don't allow your goof-ups to slow you down today!
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