'Seussicals' and 'Biblicals'
Updated: Jul 9, 2021
Dr. Seuss.
Just his name conjures up amazing and whimsical images.
I'm sure you can all recite the names of at least some of his books.
He filled the childhoods of multiple generations with his fun imaginary stories.
There were some 'life lessons' in those stories. But... could his life lessons be Biblical? Whether or not that was the intent, I surmise they could. Let's have some fun and see what the Bible has to say.
Wouldn't it be amazing if we could take the verses from the Bible and make them as famous as the Dr. Seuss quotes?
Dr. Seuss Lesson:
“You oughta be thankful... A whole heaping lot... For the people and places you’re lucky you’re not.”
Of course we know ‘luck’ has nothing to do with it, we are blessed. This lesson reminds us to be grateful for the blessings we have. Also, to help those less fortunate as it helps us to realize just how blessed we are. Haven’t you noticed that when you focus on your blessings instead of your problems and begin pouring yourself out to those less fortunate, your troubles don't seem nearly as big?
Biblical Truth:
Psalm 9:1
"I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds."
Dr. Seuss Lesson:
“Why fit in when you were born to stand out?”
Yes! As believers we are told the same thing. We are told we are foreigners in this world and that we should live IN the world but not be OF the world.
Biblical Truth: Romans 12:2
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Dr. Seuss Lesson:
“Today I shall behave as if this is the day I will be remembered.”
Dr. Seuss is advising us to make the most of every day. We don’t want to be remembered for the days we aren't at our best.
The Bible tells us that in order to be at our best, we should do everything unto the Lord not unto man.
Biblical Truth:
Colossians 3:23
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters”
Dr. Seuss Lesson:
“Today is gone. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one.“
Dr. Seuss reminds us to see the good in today, and to know tomorrow is another good day.
The Bible reminds us that today is good because of God’s love and there are always new mercies for tomorrow.
Biblical Truth: Lamentations 3:22-23
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
Dr. Seuss Lesson:
“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot. Nothing is going to get better. It’s not.“
It takes us caring and doing something to make a difference in the world. Nothing changes if no one changes it. God tells us the action to change it comes from a place of love.
Biblical Truth:
1 John 3:17-18
“If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth”
Dr. Seuss Lesson:
“I meant what I said. And I said what I meant. An elephant‘s faithful one hundred percent.”
Well, this one seems obvious.. we are to mean what we say and do what we say we will do.
Biblical Truth:
Matthew 5:37
But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.
Dr. Seuss Lesson:
"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose."
Dr. Seuss is reminding us that we need to use the sense that God gave us and choose to walk the right path.
The Bible tells us the same thing.
Biblical Truth:
Proverbs 3: 21-23
"My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgment and discretion; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble."
Dr. Seuss Lesson:
"Today you are you. That is truer than true. There is no one alive that is Youer than you."
We are each uniquely made. God has designed us as individuals.
Biblical Truth:
Psalm 139:14
"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made"
That was fun... and almost too easy!
I think my point is that we should be looking at everything from a Biblical perspective. We should be lining everything up against the Word of God. Guarding our hearts and minds against worldly influence leads us to the joy and peace that the Bible tells us we have.
If we're looking to the truth of God's Word to direct everything in our lives, we cannot go wrong.
Many Blessings!
— Robyn Alsip Arce, © 2021
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™
Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved