Lessons from Alice:  Spiritual Associations from the film “Alice in Wonderland”

By Tricia Robertson

{Spoiler Alert: If you have not yet seen the new film “Alice in Wonderland” directed by Tim Burton, you may want to wait to read this.  Although I attempt to not give too much away, the basis of the plot and its outcome are central to my commentary.  Also, the associations I make are my own and were not necessarily intended by those who made the film.}

When we meet Alice, she is a rather distracted girl who does not seem to know who she is or what she wants out of life.  Not unlike the rest of us, she is caught between lessons she learned from her father and pressures to conform to society and buy into their version of truth. She has a big task prophesied for her, but her uncertainty of her own identity causes her to doubt her ability to fulfill it.  Unless she can grow in the knowledge of who she is and believe in what she can do, all those who are counting on her will be lost.

Alice had grown up with a wise, caring father who had planted seeds in her that would come to fruition to shape her destiny.  But in order to move forward, Alice had to not only realize her true identity but also rise up and believe that she could live out her true destiny.  Like Alice, you may not feel like a champion, but as a believer you are called to be a champion for God on earth.

But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 1 Peter 2:9 (NASB)

We live in a culture that wants us to conform to its ways, but we also have a heavenly father who wants his children to live by His truth.  John 3:33 tells us that “The man who has accepted [Jesus’ testimony] has certified that God is truthful.”  If we are truly followers of Christ, we will believe God’s Word is true.  As believers, we need to not only agree with God’s truth but also live it out if we are to live the lives He has planned for us.  

Toward the beginning of the film, Alice falls down a rabbit hole and arrives in a strange land.  Apparently, the inhabitants have been waiting for Alice’s return.  But Alice does not remember being there before and insists she is having a dream.  The residents accuse her of being the “wrong Alice.”  The “real Alice” was prophesied as the champion who will slay the enemy.  But this Alice, as the Hatter puts it, has lost her “muchness”.  How can she be champion?  She says she cannot possibly slay anything, even if her life depended on it.  Eventually, her life will.

Our lives as believers don’t just depend on resting in our salvation until the Lord takes us to Heaven.  We each have a divine purpose; an assignment to carry out that requires us to know who we are and what we can do.  Have we forgotten the joy of our salvation?  The time when we were young believers and ready to do all He asked of us?  Have we lost our “muchness”?  We may not think we can defeat the enemy, but that will not stop him from trying to defeat us. 

In the film, the challenges Alice faces serve to reveal and develop her true character.  Eleanor Roosevelt said, “People grow through experience if they meet life honestly and courageously. This is how character is built.”  As the film progresses, we watch Alice’s character develop in just this way.  She approaches everyone with honesty, even when it does not serve to show herself in the best light.  She also shows that she is faithful and courageous when she insists on rescuing the friend who got her to safety, instead of simply pursuing shelter for herself.  Although she initially insists that she cannot be the champion they were expecting, the values she lives by and the way they cause her to face adversity begin to develop another picture. 

The Apostle Paul counsels us to be joyful in our trials, knowing that they help us develop godly character (James 1:2-4)  As Christians, we are blessed that we are not left alone to face adversity.  The Holy Spirit has been sent to help us know and do the will of the Father, and the Father promises to give us everything we request in His Son Jesus’ name:

“You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.” John 15:16 (NASB) See also John 14:13 & John 15:7.

It may be hard to grasp, but instead of praying for what seems possible to us, we need to dare to ask for the impossible.  Jesus clearly tells us that nothing is impossible for God (Matthew 19:26, Mark 10:27).

Alice’s father had told her that it was quite good to believe in the impossible.  What he knew--and she had to learn--is that it is not enough to just believe the impossible.  Her aunt was an example of someone who can truly go mad from lying to herself.  As an old woman, she was still sitting and waiting for her prince to come.  So dreaming up a fictional reality will not move you forward.  However, daring to dream dreams and then acting to turn them into reality is what turns dreamers into world-changers.

In the movie, the white queen had the champion’s armor and sword but needed the champion to come forward and choose to give herself for the good of the kingdom.  With the help of her new friends, Alice finally understands who she is and what she is called to do.  When she rises to the challenge and conquers the enemy, she not only sets others free but alters the whole course of her future, as well.

It is the same with our own lives.  We will not fulfill our destinies unless we acknowledge and live out the new identities we have in Christ.  Think about it for a moment.  If you believe God’s Word is true, then you will believe He has a plan and purpose for your life.  Jesus came to preach the good news to the poor, heal the sick, and set the captives free (Isaiah 61:1-2 & Luke 4:18).  His ministry on this earth was brief, but He called us to continue it with the help of the Holy Spirit. 

If you believe God’s Word is true, you will not shrink back from the enemy but will put on God’s armor, take up the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit, and fight.  Putting aside fear and unbelief to face the enemy in strength, you will live for a cause that is greater than your Self and claim ultimate victory through Christ.

“Therefore, my dear brothers {and sisters}, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58.

1.  REJOICE

 ⁴Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

2.  PRAY

⁶Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

3.  THINK

 ⁸Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

4.  PRACTICE

⁹Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

I believe...God answers prayer:

John 14:13-14 (Amplified Bible) 13And I will do [I Myself will grant] whatever you ask in My Name [as presenting all that I AM], so that the Father may be glorified and extolled in (through) the Son.  14[Yes] I will grant [I Myself will do for you] whatever you shall ask in My Name [as presenting all that I AM].

John 15:7  If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you.

John 15:16 (Amplified Bible) 16You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and I have appointed you [I have planted you], that you might go and bear fruit and keep on bearing, and that your fruit may be lasting [that it may remain, abide], so that whatever you ask the Father in My Name [as presenting all that I AM], He may give it to you.

John 16:22-24 (Amplified Bible) 22 So for the present you are also in sorrow (in distress and depressed); but I will see you again and [then] your hearts will rejoice, and no one can take from you your joy (gladness, delight). 23And when that time comes, you will ask nothing of Me [you will need to ask Me no questions]. I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that My Father will grant you whatever you ask in My Name [as presenting all that I AM]. 24Up to this time you have not asked a [single] thing in My Name [as presenting all that I AM]; but now ask and keep on asking and you will receive, so that your joy (gladness, delight) may be full and complete.

I believe...God loves us and wants us to live in His love, joy and peace.

John 17 (Amplified Bible) 26 I have made Your Name known to them and revealed Your character and Your very Self, and I will continue to make [You] known, that the love which You have bestowed upon Me may be in them [felt in their hearts] and that I [Myself] may be in them.

I believe...that God's gifts and promises are for all who believe, male and female; past, present and future:

Acts 2:39 (Amplified Bible) 39For the promise [of the Holy Spirit] is to and for you and your children, and to and for all that are far away, [even] to and for as many as the Lord our God invites and bids to come to Himself.

Acts 2 (Amplified Bible) 16But [instead] this is [the beginning of] what was spoken through the prophet Joel:  17And it shall come to pass in the last days, God declares, that I will pour out of My Spirit upon all mankind, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy [telling forth the divine counsels] and your young men shall see visions (divinely granted appearances), and your old men shall dream [divinely suggested] dreams.

18Yes, and on My menservants also and on My maidservants in those days I will pour out of My Spirit, and they shall prophesy [telling forth the divine counsels and predicting future events pertaining especially to God's kingdom]. 

21And it shall be that whoever shall call upon the name of the Lord [invoking, adoring, and worshiping the Lord--Christ] shall be saved.

I believe...that there are not greater or lesser gifts, but individuals are gifted by God to work together as one body with all parts being necessary and equal:

1 Corinthians 12 (Amplified Bible) 4Now there are distinctive varieties and distributions of endowments (gifts, extraordinary powers distinguishing certain Christians, due to the power of divine grace operating in their souls by the Holy Spirit) and they vary, but the [Holy] Spirit remains the same.

27Now you [collectively] are Christ's body and [individually] you are members of it, each part severally and distinct [each with his own place and function].  28So God has appointed some in the church [for His own use]: first apostles (special messengers); second prophets (inspired preachers and expounders); third teachers; then wonder-workers; then those with ability to heal the sick; helpers; administrators; [speakers in] different (unknown) tongues.

I believe that the "prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective":

James 5:15-18 (New International Version) 15And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. 16Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.  17Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.

I believe...I need to be a whole lot more thankful to our loving, giving God!