I was working out on the bikes at the gym today and the song “This is Me’ from The Greatest Showman came on and I start thinking about the lyrics. It reminded me of all the scars I have on the inside of me.  People don’t see them because I’ve learned to hide them so well. As you get used to hiding yourself from vocal people around who don’t like the way you are, hiding becomes normal. I was too loud, too quiet, too flashy, or not flashy enough. Some thought I didn’t sing harmony the right way. Others said  my melody was too much or not enough. This eventually led me to stop worshipping all together for a season. Now I worship for the right reasons.  

When I watched this musical a while back, I saw the bearded lady come and sing on the stage with all of her scars and be herself. I was ecstatic. She belted out the words, “This is brave. This is bruised, this is who I’m meant to be, this is me!” What an anthem! (Not about the beard) it’s the lyrics and about acceptance). It resonated with me.

Later in the movie, the ringmaster wanted to hide her again because she wasn’t enough, or people were talking about her not fitting in their mold. She sings “Another round of bullets hit my skin, well fire away,.” She came to the realization that she didn’t care. The bullets will always come for us, people who think they know what is best for us. Those who are jealous and envious of other people’s lives. People who hate life. People who don’t understand those who are different. Some just like to shoot bullets at others. Her attitude was “fire away, I won’t let that shame sink in!” She became the barrier in her own life, stopping the scars from getting into her heart! 

She became a warrior! 

She stepped into her God-given role and took people with her. In the movie, the crowd behind her grew larger and larger as her friends realized they didn’t have to let those bullets of doubt and fear create new scars. They were enough and they could move beyond the pain of their past.

As Christians that is our role. We must realize that life happens to us all. All people hurt others. Sometimes they can’t help it. When they sling bullets it’s due to their own pain. We must move past it and reach out for someone else who is hurting and save them. 

Send a flood to drown out the sound and be a warrior as the song says. 

This is me! I’m a warrior! 

“I am brave, I am bruised, I am who I’m meant to be, This is me!” 

©2024 Marsha L. Brown

Listen to the song here, in case you haven’t heard it. It’s very powerful. My favorite video of this song is actually the rehearsal of when the actress Keala Settle sings the song, and it is so incredible. Listen to this, and maybe listen to the professional recording.