Toy Story: You Are a Toy! (Psalm 139:14)

In the beloved film Toy Story, we meet Buzz Lightyear, a valiant figure, adorned in his shiny space suit and emblazoned with the words “To Infinity and Beyond.” He believes with all his heart that he is a fearless space ranger, ready to tackle any challenge across the galaxy. His bravado is infectious, filled with dreams of adventure and heroics. But then, an unexpected moment shatters his reality. As he gazes in disbelief at his own reflection, he sees not a space ranger but a toy.

Imagine the weight of that realization crashing down like a meteor. Buzz’s existential crisis is palpable—“If I am not a space ranger, then who am I?” His voice trembles, and his spirit falters, as he grapples with the terrifying thought of insignificance. In a quiet yet profound moment, Woody, the cowboy toy with a heart of gold, comes alongside him. He looks Buzz in the eye and gently proclaims, “You are a TOY! And being a toy is wonderful! You bring joy to Andy. You help him dream. You make his world brighter.”

Here we find ourselves, much like Buzz, often caught in the whirlwind of our own self-perceptions. We build grand identities—students, professionals, parents—all the while forgetting the simple yet profound truth: we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalms 139:14). When life dismantles our illusions of grandeur, we, too, must hear the voice of our Creator reminding us of our true worth. The gospel reassures us: we are not merely products of our ambitions or successes, but beloved children, intricately designed for purpose and belonging. So, let us embrace this beautiful truth: we are cherished, and in being who we are, we find our place in the grand story God is telling—a story far richer than we could ever imagine.