Defying Gravity

Like the rest of the world, I recently saw the movie, Wicked. This musical based on The Wizard of Oz tells the story of Elphaba, the future Wicked Witch of the West, and her unlikely friendship with Glinda, the Good Witch.

Elphaba is a misunderstood character in the land of Oz. Her green skin makes her an outcast, but her powers and compassionate heart set her apart even further. Elphaba struggles with a world that demands conformity and silence, especially in the face of injustice. At the end of the first act Elphaba reaches a pivotal moment and sings “Defying Gravity”:

Something has changed within me; something is not the same.

I'm through with playing by the rules of someone else's game.

Too late for second-guessing; too late to go back to sleep.

It's time to trust my instincts, close my eyes, and leap.

This anthem captures Elphaba’s decision to stand for what is right, even when it means becoming an exile. In the world of Oz, complicity is easy, silence is rewarded, and those who challenge the status quo are labeled dangerous. Elphaba demonstrates the courage to stand against injustice in our own world, where comfort often tempts us into inaction.

I love the song “Defying Gravity” because it calls us to step out in faith and into the fullness of who we know we are – and who we know we can be. Last month we reflected on the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who also called us to defy gravity – to rise above fear, hatred, and complacency. Dr. King famously said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” His life was a testament to the Christian call to seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. Dr. King was no stranger to resistance and rejection. He faced imprisonment, threats, and ultimately death because he refused to stay silent about the sins of racism, poverty, and war.

In his letter from Birmingham Jail, Dr. King wrote about the pain of silence and said, “We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the hateful words and actions of the bad people but for the appalling silence of the good people.” These words, like the song, challenge me to examine my own life. Am I too comfortable? Complicit? Am I playing by the rules of a broken world instead of leaping into God’s call for justice and truth?

Jesus provides the ultimate example of standing with the marginalized. He continually defied societal norms to embrace those cast aside. His ministry was revolutionary, and his message was clear: love God, love your neighbor, and pursue justice. As Christians, we are called to follow Jesus in this mission. Standing up for what is good and true, advocating for the marginalized, and challenging the systems of oppression in our world can be daunting. Like Elphaba, we may fear the cost. Like Dr. King, we may face rejection. Yet, as the lyrics of “Defying Gravity” remind us:

I'm through accepting limits 'cause someone says they're so.

Some things I cannot change, but 'til I try, I'll never know.

Let’s be people who refuse to accept limits, who choose love over fear, and who trust God enough to leap into the unknown. Let us defy gravity. Like Dr. King, let us proclaim that “justice will roll down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream.” And like Jesus, let us live boldly and compassionately, knowing that in doing so, we answer the call of our faith.