Have you seen the 2017 film The Greatest Showman? It’s a story, set in the Victorian era, about a man who had lost his job and was penniless; known as P.T Barnum, he built up his empire as a visionary to become, ‘the greatest showman.’ Barnum formed a travelling circus troupe, from a bunch of outcasts who society had rejected because of their abnormality's and disabilities. They were classed as misfits or freaks and of little worth amongst a judgmental, snobby aristocratic society. Barnum wanted to prove his ability to train his selected range of misfits to perform their acts and be seen as outrageous and unique.
At one point in the film Barnum becomes preoccupied with socialising with the aristocratic upper class and disengages himself from the troupe, expecting them to get on with their training without him. They become deflated but fight back with a rousing song called ‘This is Me’.
The lyrics to this song are amazing:
I’m not a stranger to the dark Hide away, they say 'cause we don't want your broken parts I've learned to be ashamed of all my scars Run away, they say no one'll love you as you are
But I won't let them break me down to dust I know that there's a place for us For we are glorious!
When the sharpest words wanna cut me down I'm gonna send a flood, gonna drown 'em out I am brave, I am bruised I am who I'm meant to be, this is me
Look out 'cause here I come And I'm marching on to the beat I drum I'm not scared to be seen I make no apologies, this is me
Another round of bullets hits my skin Well, fire away 'cause today, I won't let the shame sink in We are bursting through the barricades and Reaching for the sun (we are warriors) Yeah, that's what we've become (yeah, that's what we've become)
And I know that I deserve your love There's nothing I'm not worthy of When the sharpest words wanna cut me down I'm gonna send a flood, gonna drown 'em out This is brave, this is bruised This is who I'm meant to be, this is me
The power of this song in the film is that it tells a different story about who these people are. They are a group of mighty, unshakable warriors, marching forward and standing their ground! They wanted to be seen as, beautiful people, united, equal and a part of society; to do away with bullying, being ridiculed for their abnormalities, hurt from nasty degrading comments, feeling unloved and rejected!
This is such a profound and encouraging song for this generation; you may relate to similar emotions. However you see yourself, God sees you as, “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14). You are unique, beautiful inside and out; royalty, a son or daughter of the King most high! You are in God’s army: a strong and mighty warrior! You are above and not beneath - God holds you in highest esteem and His love for you is eternal! Whatever you go through in life, He will never leave you or forsake you. You are His and Jesus never lets go of his precious children.
Written by Susan Dobbs