Rising Above Our Goliaths: “Defying Gravity” and Wicked
by Alexandria Furlow
Escaping the dreadful grasp of the Wizard, Elphaba and Glinda argue about the events that had transpired. Suddenly a voice filled with frightful vengeance echoes from above. It is none other than Madame Morribel, the Wizard's secretary. She confidently exclaims that Elphaba is wicked and has committed heinous crimes against Oz. She is to be captured to face the consequences.
Glinda sweetly encourages Elphaba by telling her to be not fearful of the situation at hand. Elphaba, without hesitation, replies that she doesn't fear the circumstances or the Wizard, declaring that the Wizard is the one who should be in fear of her.
Glinda tries to persuade her dear friend to speak with the Wizard. To apologize to him, rather than throwing away everything she wanted and tirelessly worked to obtain. Elphaba excitedly proclaims that she can no longer desire the life she wanted before, explaining the change within her. She acknowledges who she was and recognizes who she needs to be and that this version of her requires a leap of faith.
The citizens of Oz break into Glinda and Elphaba's temporary haven, Elphaba takes that leap of faith by trying an impossible incantation: a levitation spell. As the citizens break through the threshold, Elphaba commands their attention to the sky, where she effortlessly defies gravity. Glinda wishes nothing but the best for her friend as Elphaba continues to rise and obtain her purpose.
The Goliaths (2020). Image courtesy of Emma Watson on Unsplash.
Another War
There once was an ongoing argument between the Israelites and the Philistines-a feud was over which of them would rule. This argument eventually blossomed into an ongoing war with no end in sight.
As a result of this never-ending war, the Philistines proposed a clever solution. A challenge to the Israelites: bring forth your strongest soldier to fight one on one with our greatest soldier: Goliath.
The giant Goliath stood 6'0" to 9' 6"; a tower of muscle, resilience, and intimidation. The very sight of him induced such a crippling fear in the Israelite soldiers that they refused to engage in the deadly challenge. Goliath enjoyed mocking these soldiers, declaring them weak, cowardly. However, there was one heroic young man that would change the world forever.
David, an eager, young shepherd boy delivered food into battle to his brothers for his father. His brothers just so happened to be a part of the militia that withstood Goliath’s consistent jeering. On that fateful day, David witnessed the mighty and all-powerful Goliath. He stood in awe of Goliath and the challenge that spewed mockingly from his lips. He thought with foolish confidence, “I can do it. I can defeat him and win this war.”
So, it was set in stone. David decided to take on this challenge not as an observer, but as Goliath's opponent. He sought out the king, Saul, for the blessing and approval to take on this monstrosity of a man. King Saul hesitantly gave his consent, wishing the brave shepherd boy good fortune. David, readied himself to defeat this obstacle known as Goliath, entering the fight with nothing but a couple of stones he had picked up along his journey, a slingshot, and the belief that he would indeed defeat Goliath.
David did exactly what he had set out to do. He confidently walked up to Goliath and declared victory with this little stone and a slingshot. Can you imagine approaching this gigantic soldier with only a rock and a slingshot and having the confidence that you’re going to win? That confidence is what I believe we call faith.
What does that story from ages ago have to do with us? Who or what is Goliath to us and how we can defeat him? Goliath has become a modernized expression for the obstacles we face. Goliaths can be anything from a specific person or group of people to the opinions of others and society. You could even be your own Goliath. Goliaths are diverse in the journey of life and many will come and go as we grow into who we are meant to be. We view obstacles or Goliaths like something of a wicked nature. But perhaps they are the exact opposite. Could Goliaths be strategically placed in our lives to push us to discover, learn, and change?
Defying Gravity
‘Defying Gravity’ is an expression given life by the musical Wicked. Wicked is a different take on the childhood classic, The Wizard of Oz which follows the storylines of Elphaba Thropp, the Wicked Witch of the West, and Glinda (the Good Witch of the North) before Dorothy arrives in Oz.
Elphaba sings this anthem of victory after discovering the harsh truths unfolding before her eyes. Truths such as the Great Wizard of Oz is a fraud, an evil one at that. That her dear friend, Doctor Dillamond not only faces ridicule from society but the demise from the Wizard of Oz and his vicious plans. She mourns the oppression and disappearance of the animals in Oz which just so happens to all lead back to the Wizard. When Elphaba makes these unpleasant discoveries, she flees. The Wizard’s secretary, Madame Morrible, announces that Elphaba is wicked, dangerous, and is to be arrested for her crimes against Oz.
Elphaba’s song is a homage and an oath to not only those who try to bring her down but to herself. She proclaims,
“Nobody in all of Oz, no Wizard that there is or was, is ever gonna bring me down.”🎵
A personal proclamation that she will defy the gravity that society has tried to enforce upon her since she was young. She promises to defeat her Goliaths by becoming the most powerful witch in all of Oz, allowing herself to become who she was always meant to be.
The musical takes issues that we are far too familiar with and provides a solution: Defy gravity even though there are those around us who are too afraid to do what we must.
“Something has changed within me.
Defying gravity is the beautiful and rebellious act of rising above all of the odds set before us by the world around us. It is the very moment in which we decide that limitations cannot and will not exist alongside our namesake. It is when we recognize we don’t belong to these Goliaths that dauntingly stand before us.
When Elphaba discovers that the Wizard is corrupt, she decides to rebel against the Wizard by rising up to fight for her fellow man. Elphaba decides to take on her Goliath. Like Elphaba, we must choose to rebel against the gravitational limits that the world has put on us to rise and meet our God-given purpose and to defeat our Goliaths.
Colossians 2:8 tells us,
See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.
Goliaths live for the opportunity to inform you of your identity, your worth, and the limitations of your capabilities. They thrive upon the constant reminder of how the physics of this world works. It is a tradition to attempt the snipping of our wings the minute we arrive in life. However, we do not come from a world of Goliaths. We are the creation of God, His artistry in which he has designed to take flight and soar. Through God, we have the strength to carry the stones, the slingshot, and the knowledge of who we are and how to deal with these Goliaths.
“I’m through accepting limits, ‘cause someone says they’re so.
Some things I cannot change, but ‘til I try, I’ll never know.”🎵
How many times have you been told that you could not do something and then you were given a reason that seemed absurd? How did that make you feel? Were you angry? Were you sad? How did you react to the moment? Did you listen to the person who tried to limit you? Did you obey gravity? Romans 12:2 notes,
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
While the world delights in mocking and prides itself in giving us suggestions about who they assume we are, God has already told us and that he has plans for who He has called us to be. Goliaths may find peace in the indulgence of taunts, but you can find your victory in Jesus.
“Too long I’ve been afraid of,
losing love I guess I’ve lost.
it comes at much too high a cost!
God designed each of our purposes, our very own unique set of gravity-defying wings, which we will use to better the world around us, and even ourselves. We were created to defy all odds laid out before us and to do so in the most astonishing way possible. Isaiah 40:31 says,
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength; they shall soar on wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not be faint.
God created us in His image, crafting every one of us to obtain the ability to fly. To show the world how all things are possible through Him. So stretch those indestructible wings, relentlessly reach towards Him, and watch your Goliaths panic from above because they now know who the victor truly is.
“And if I’m flying solo, at least I’m flying free.
To those who ground me take a message back from me.
Tell them how I am defying gravity!
Defying Gravity (2020). Image courtesy of JOHN TOWNER on Unsplash.
Goliaths and Defying Gravity
We are faced with a dilemma, how to defeat our Goliaths and defy gravity?
It’s up to us. It is a question that I ask myself quite often. The most important, and most common part of successfully doing so is to have courage. Deuteronomy 31:6 says,
Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.
Trust in this process of free-falling into who you are called to be. And never, under any circumstances, deprive yourself or others of the freedom that comes with such victory. As Elphaba proclaims in her battle cry,
Resources
We’ve created a free downloadable PDF to explore the article deeper. It contains discussion questions about the topic in general terms that will give you a jumping-off point for beginning a conversation.
The second page contains a way to see the topic from a biblical perspective.
And finally, to go deeper into the subject, we have chosen a few curated resources to explore from other authors’ and thinkers’ research or perspectives.
Read. Engage. Enjoy!
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