Spoiler alert: if you haven’t seen the movie Captain Marvel and plan to, be aware that I am disclosing the plot
Our heroine goes by many names…Carol Danvers, Vers and later, Captain Marvel. She is a trained warrior, from a heroic warrior people, the Kree and is caught up in a battle with the evil Skrull, a race hell bent on conquering galaxies for themselves. Their very existence threaten the Kree’s way of life and every Kree has an obligation to fight them wherever they are found. Not only are they monstrous, but they have the ability to shapeshift, taking on the exact form of people around them…even to fingerprint and DNA level. You see the problem? Identifying a Skrull amongst a group of people is extremely difficult.
Vers is also having a bit of trouble…she struggles to contain her emotions, something a Kree warrior cannot do. In order to be a great warrior, according to her Kree mentor and trainer, you have to be able to turn off all emotion so that you think, instead of react when in battle.
As the story unfolds, Vers learns that she is Carol Danvers, a human, who had a previous life, before she was abducted and brainwashed by the Kree. She finds out that she had been deceived, that her friends and allies are actually the enemy and that the Skrull are indeed the “good guys”, simply fighting to survive and live a peaceful life without the threat of antihalation. Carol goes from Carol, to Vers, back to Carol, to Captain Marvel when she begins to understand just who she is and when she comes to terms with the great power that is dormant inside her.
In one powerful scene Vers is confronted by a Skrull, who says to her “I know who you are” to which she replies “you don’t know me…I don’t even know who I am”. It’s then that her best friend from her life pre-Kree says “I know who you are..” She begins to tell Carol who she is and the truth of the deception begins to dawn on her, paving the way for her to turn into the hero that she was always meant to be.
This movie spoke to me on so many levels. It is a metaphor for my life, and most of my Christian walk. How often do we struggle with our identity? Who am I? What am I destined for? Where do I belong? Where is my home? Who are my friends? My family? My tribe?
Like Vers, I have found myself grieving because people I thought were my friends, my allies and part of my tribe turned out to be deceptive and not at all who or what I thought they would be – even to the point of proving to be an enemy. I have been disappointed when I misplaced trust, when I opened my heart, only to be stung by those I valued most. I have been angry at myself for not discerning who the real enemy was, for making myself vulnerable to much grief and pain by trusting the wrong people or failing to discern the enemy at work in my life.
Like David lamented, in Psalm 55…If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were rising against me, I could hide. But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend, with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship at the house of God, as we walked about among the worshippers. (V12-14 NIV)
I have also found myself in seasons where I had no idea who I was or what power and authority was laying dormant inside of me. I too needed a friend to tell me “I know who you are”. Sometimes it was the Father, Who spoke to me through the Word or through a prophet or teacher. Sometimes it was Holy Spirit, speaking to my heart or guiding me through my dreams. More often it was “Jesus with skin on”…those people who journeyed with me and reminded me of who I am, calling forth the gifts in me, drawing out the creativity and God-given talents and strengths I didn’t know I had. Then there is Jesus.
Proverbs 18:24 tells us that “The man of too many friends will be broken in pieces and come to ruin, But there is a [true, loving] friend who [is reliable and] sticks closer than a brother” (AMP)
To me, Jesus has been that friend for a long time. He is the One that is always true, always accessible, always faithful, never distant, never deceitful and intimately interested in my well-being. He reminds me of who I am…beloved, one worthy of sacrifice, one called to be the hero for many others, one capable and worthy of speaking for Him, His bride, His ambassador, His heir, His champion.
If you, like Vers, have lost your way because you have been hijacked by the enemy, who came in the guise of a friend,only to trap you in misery, depression or addiction or you have forgotten who you are and what you have been called to, may I encourage you to seek out Jesus, and allow Him to remind you who you are and Who you belong to. Open your heart to Truth today and allow Him to shut up the voices telling you that you are too small, too insignificant, too emotional, too distant, just not enough for those who will never be satisfied, no matter how hard you try. Allow Holy Spirit to unleash the hero inside of you!
Lord, how wonderful you are!
You have stored up so many good things for us,
like a treasure chest heaped up and spilling over with blessings—
all for those who honour and worship you!
Everybody knows what you can do
for those who turn and hide themselves in you.
So hide all your beloved ones
in the sheltered, secret place before your face.
Overshadow them by your glory-presence.
Keep them from these accusations, the brutal insults of evil men.
Tuck them safely away in the tabernacle where you dwell.
The name of the Lord is blessed and lifted high!
For his marvellous miracle of mercy protected me
when I was overwhelmed by my enemies.
I spoke hastily when I said, “The Lord has deserted me.”
For in truth, you did hear my prayer and came to rescue me.
Listen to me, all you godly ones: Love the Lord with passion!
The Lord protects and preserves all those who are loyal to him.
But he pays back in full all those who reject him in their pride.
So cheer up! Take courage all you who love him.
Wait for him to break through for you, all who trust in him!
Psalm 31:19 – 24 TPT