One of my favorite movies to watch is Enchanted. I know, it’s silly. But I like the music. I like the silliness. I like it. So when I run across it while scouring the hundreds of television channels we have to watch, if my husband isn’t around, I click on this movie to waste time…yes, waste time.
But there are a few lessons to be learned in this story. I’m going to share one with you today.
The storyline goes like this. In the cartoon land of Andalasia, a prince meets a beautiful girl and they are set to be married. However, his evil step-mother, the queen, does not want them to be married. The queen disguises herself as an old woman and sends the beautiful girl to the real world of New York City. Once in the city, the beautiful girl meets a handsome man and his young daughter who takes her in.
The prince joins the story in New York City and is on a quest to find his bride. He does, but of course, the handsome NYC guy and beautiful girl eventually fall in love and the beautiful girl stays in the real world. The prince goes back to his la-la land.
A little side story is happening as well. The queen has an admirer who is willing to do anything the queen asks, which included killing the beautiful girl. In the real world, the admirer comes to find just how the queen has been using him and really doesn’t care for him at all.
Once the entire cast is finally in the real world, the queen meets up with her admirer. Her words to him? “Hello worthless. Miss me?”
Ouch!
You know I have to admit, I’ve felt like the admirer many times in my life. Worthless. Useless. Rejected. Dismissed. Incapable. Unable.
Here’s the thing. Living with these thoughts in my head is where the evil one wants me to be. This is where he wants to find me crumpled up in a corner. In this state of mind is where the father of lies wants me to remain.
But I have news for this sinister. I don’t believe these lies. I know who I am in Christ and it isn’t any of the above mentioned. Let me share some Scripture with you to show you who I am in Christ and who you are in Christ as well.
“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last.” (Matthew 15:16a – NIV)
“What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31 – NIV)
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:37-39 – NIV)
“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.” (Ephesians 1:4-5 – NIV)
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:8-10 – NIV)
“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13 – NIV)
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?’” (Hebrews 13:5-6 – NIV)
“You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9 – NIV)
“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1a – NIV)
Like the queen in Enchanted, the evil one’s plot in our lives can be eliminated. We must allow Jesus to take captive every untruth that dwells in our hearts and minds. We must believe the truth that Jesus speaks over us. Jesus’ truth will win over Satan’s lies every single time. Believe it.
However, if you are struggling with your identity in Christ, spend some time with Jesus. He is the One who loves you the most, who knows you the best, and who is able to do some remarkable things in your life. Isn’t it time to be the handsome prince or the beautiful princess that you are?
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna