THE SHAPE OF WATER (2017) Movie Review
What is the Image of God?
1 John 4:16 - “We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.” (NLT)
What does it mean to made in God’s image?
Would God look like a human? A man? White? Why does it matter so much what God looks like? What ought to matter is what He represents. What he stands for? What defines Him?
GOD IS LOVE.
GOD IS KIND.
GOD DOES NOT
DISCRIMINATE.
GOD HEALS.
Proverbs 11:17 - “You kindness will reward you, but your cruelty will destroy.” (NLT)
This is the powerful message behind the Shape of Water . It signifies the difference between a physical monster and a real monster. A mysterious aquatic creature is taken captive by a man so cruel that his evil rots him from the inside out. He savagely beats the creature for no reason and gleefully encourages its demise.
Meanwhile, it is studied for such a trivial purpose, it respiratory system when it has so much more to offer. The only person in the entire lab that sees the creature’s true beauty is Elisa, a mute and lonely janitor. She shows it understanding and kindness.
In return, it shows her love. It shows her its full potential. It is intelligent. It learns to communicate. Most importantly, it can heal and resurrect. These are all far more valuable areas of study than its method of breathing. A rare and beautiful creature nearly dies over a space race, for America's vanity.
Colossian 3:12 - “Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you clothe yourselves in tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” (NLT)
Not if Elisa has anything to say about it. Her kindness accelerates into a deep love. They understand each other. They become a part of each other. She saves it, and it saves her. It brings her into a world of which she could only dream. She reaches her full potential. Because of her kindness. Because of her understanding. Because she refuses to succumb to cruelty.
Elisa, an outcast and handicap, builds bridges with all outcasts: a homosexual, an immigrant, and her black colleague. All of these people are considered to be inferior, especially the creature. She can serve as an inspiration for us all. Let us all try to be kind. Let us not discriminate. Let us love.
