When called by the wrong name

Vanellope von Schweetz knew that she was something special. She knew she was born to race. She believed in her heart that she was destined for the top of the leaderboard. But to everyone else, she was not known as a great racer. She wasn’t seen as a worthy opponent. Instead, she was known as…a glitch. All the other racers called her glitch. Even King Candy led the charge in making sure she knew she was a nobody. But Vanellope didn’t believe she was a glitch. She saw something in herself that no one else was able to see.

 

You may remember this as the storyline from one of my favorite Pixar movies, Wreck-It Ralph. As I watched the movie for the first, second, fifteenth time, I would find myself in the same racecar as Vanellope. I hear the voices of those around me telling me everything I am not. I hear the chants of unworthy, unable, and unqualified. I hear, “you were born to lose.” And then I soon realize that those voices aren’t just coming from without, but now, from within. The voices that once were just “out there” began to sound a whole lot like my own voice. And I began to listen to the voices in my own head telling me that I am a glitch. I hear, “You’re too flawed. You’re too broken. You’re too faulty. I hear, You’ll never amount to anything and those around you are better off with someone smarter, wiser, better.”

 

As much as I hate to write these things aloud, maybe they aren’t unlike the voices you hear in your own head. I began to ask myself, “Where do these thoughts keep coming from?” The truth is, I know where the thoughts come from. My adversary, the accuser of the brethren, reminds me every day who I am. And he’s right. I am all of those things. I am faulty. I am broken. I am unworthy. I am a glitch. But here is the best news you might hear all day. I don’t go by those names any longer. And he can keep calling me by those names, but as I learn to listen to the voices of my Creator, my Father, the Lover of my soul, I refuse to answer. Why? Because that is not my name. I have a new name, given to me by my the One who knows the real me. Not the glitch, but the gem of His eye. Not the unworthy servant, but His worthy son, for which He was willing to send His Son. Not as broken, but as brand-new, created in His image for His purpose. And when you are tempted to forget, or you think that the wrong name is somehow correct, remember this: The world can call you a glitch, but the Father has created you for greatness.

 

Maybe you need some reminders from God’s love letter to us. Ephesians 2:10 writes, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.” 1 John 4:4 which speaks of the power of God’s Spirit in us writes, “the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.” Romans 8:38-39, “I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:1 reads, “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.”

 

The Word of God speaks truth to our life and our struggles. So, when you question your value, worth, and identity, run to the Source of all joy and peace. And find Him and His kindness in His Word. As we let His voice fill our mind, we begin to hear a gentle voice calling us to Himself.

 

In the end, Vanellope crosses the finish line, restoring her memory and status as Princess Vanellope, the game’s ruler and lead character, while keeping her advantageous glitching ability. What a powerful reminder. What Satan reminds you is your weakness, God has the power to use for His glory. Your glitch just may end up being what makes you great.