Upon meeting the children, they immediately recognize something magical about Mary Poppins. She slides UP the bannister. She carries only one bag, but her supply is endless. When one asked how long she will stay with the family, she answers, “Only until the wind changes.”
The world should immediately recognize the supernatural and miraculous in the Church. This should be instantly evident. The Church also has very few belongings of her own, but always possesses exactly what she needs. Her only commitment is to obey God, to follow the Spirit, the wind, and even she does not know where God will send her next. She signs no contract, makes no promises.
The first thing Mary Poppins teaches them is to clean their room. But she teaches them a song that enables them to work with joy.
While the Church values childlike innocence, she also values living up to responsibility. But the Church helps men and women find joy in the most menial of tasks by working for the Lord in everything.
Then the adventures begin. Poppins is both spontaneous and practical. Coming upon her friend, Bert, he is finishing his sidewalk chalk drawings. After a short conversation, Poppins is convinced by childlike excitement to enter the chalk drawings and have a “holiday.” During the holiday, however, Poppins shows restraint, wisdom and character.
The Church must learn to be spontaneous as opportunities present themselves, even to participate in joyous occasions. But those spontaneous opportunities are still subject to wisdom and righteousness. She never loses the purity of her character. Although spontaneous and sometimes fun, the Church is not led by her own s.
A quick note on Bert: He is representative of the poor. Of all characters in the movie, he knows who Poppins is and what she is about, even saying, “It’s a jolly holiday with Mary.” Bert is from the lowest class, a chimney sweep, almost an untouchable in British society at the time. But he is transformed into a gentleman in her presence, not in actual station (he must return to his actual poverty), but in how she honors and treats him.
The poor should find such a haven in the Church. The poor should feel such joy in fellowship with the Church. More on that later.
On this chalk-drawing holiday, Poppins teaches them how to race with confidence but not recklessly. They race on inanimate horses. She teaches them a new word they have never heard, a word to use when they don’t know what to say.
The Church should intentionally use situations to teach others how to run the race of the kingdom with confidence but not recklessly. The vessel we use to race with is flesh, crucified with Christ. We race as men walking. The Church also teaches people how to speak in a new way, to allow the Holy Spirit to fill your mouth whne you don’t know what to say.
In general, Poppins teaches with song. A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down. Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. The Church is to teach in singing from the heart.
To be continued ….
Britt,
I am thoroughly enjoying this series. I just started allowing Katheirne to sit and watch Mary Poppins myself and I am thrilled to have such insight into one of my favorite movies.
CV