We're coming up on the new Toy Story sequel, which might as well be titled "Toys vs. Tech". In honor of this additional sequel (which I hope is really good), I wanted to flashback to the beginning of the toys' adventures when Buzz Lightyear joined the crew. Back when all he had was delusions of grandeur.
Everyone remembers when Buzz Lightyear came out of that birthday present, thinking he was a real space ranger. It drove Woody absolutely crazy, while the other toys laughed at his discomfort. However, after being taken to Sid's house and Buzz's bubble burst, Woody didn't react the way he'd expected. It wasn't "I told you so" but instead it was a chance to be a friend.
Though delusional, Buzz was happy and confident. The unearned confidence was shattered when he learned he was a toy (If he didn't know he was toy, why did he go lifeless like the others when Andy came around?). With his illusion shattered, Buzz thought he was a worthless piece of plastic. It took finally becoming friends with Woody for Buzz to realize his true potential. He thought being Andy's toy was a far cry from being a space ranger, but a change in life perspective isn't always a bad thing. In Buzz's case, he learned that his worth wasn't from being an intergalactic hero, but from bringing joy to a child.
All of us come into this world thinking we're one thing. The natural man. We believe we're the impulses and desires that come so instinctively as we go through life. We think we're the flesh and blood we were born with. However, as prophets since Adam have taught, we are children of God. We have divine identity. Though we think we're "[children] of man" (as the adversary told Moses) we're "[children] of God".
Present Nelson taught there are three labels that ought to define us and direct our lives more than any other: child of God, child of the covenant, and disciple of Jesus Christ. He said, “Labels can be fun and indicate your support for any number of positive things. But if any label replaces your most important identifiers, the results can be spiritually suffocating." I mean, imagine if Buzz still believed he was a space ranger. Even he noted how pathetic he must have been when he met another Buzz at Al's Toy Barn.
I've come to love the Aaronic Priesthood theme, especially the first line: "I am a beloved son of God, and He has a work for me to do." It's a powerful reminder that my potential isn't limited to who I think I am. While I could learn to be confident as the man I am, my identity as a son of God changes my purpose. As a man, I can grow and become who I want to be and who God wants me to become. I was not preprogramed with backstory. I was born with purpose... even if it isn't being a space ranger.
PS: If Buzz came into Andy's room with backstory programmed into his plastic little head, why didn't Woody know about his backstory with Jessie and Bullseye?
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- "Opposition [Inside Out] All Things" by Spencer
- "'You're Just Like Me. Trash!' --Forky" by Mike
- "Luca: A Celebration of Friendship" by Stephen
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