Sharing God’s Story with Wreck-it Ralph
- Part 1 – Community
- Part 2 – Counterfeit
- Part 3 – Cheater
- Part 4 – Purpose
- Part 5 – Savior
- Part 6 – Resurrection
This Reel Parable has major spoilers, and I mean major. Major like “did you know that Superman now has a kid?” major. This movie bible study assumes that you have seen Wreck-it Ralph or don’t care if we spoil it for you. We warned you…
This is part 4 of a 6 part Christian movie review of Wreck-it Ralph. You can find all of our Wreck-it Ralph content here.
Problems
If King Candy is the villain of Sugar Rush (and he is!) then Vanellope is most certainly the heart and soul.
In a world that appears so perfect, she is the only one who knows that her life is anything but.
Like Ralph, she lives alone on the outskirts of town.
Like Ralph, she longs for community and to be a part of the group.
She is the adorable little loner and ambitious outsider longing to be a part of the game.
And while the whole world of Sugar Rush is broken she just might be the most broken.
While everyone has lost their memory because of King Candy’s hacking, she is the only one who has lost community and has lost fellowship. King Candy actually removed her from the community.
Oh, and to top it off she is the only one with a glitch!
Purpose
But Vanellope knows deep down inside that she was made for more.
She knows that she has a purpose.
She knows that she is special.
Having no memory of driving a car, much less racing a car, she knows that she was designed – programmed – to race!
She feels it in her bones and in her soul. She just knows it.
The world of Sugar Rush tells her she is worthless, purposeless, and an accident (a glitch!).
But she knows better. She knows that she has a purpose and that someone, somewhere, has a plan.
Do you ever feel the same way?
I know I do. My whole life I have heard this verse:
’For I know what I have planned for you,’ says the Lord. ‘I have plans to prosper you, not to harm you. I have plans to give you a future filled with hope.’ Jeremiah 29:11 NET
I am glad God knows the plans He has for me. I wish He would tell me what those plans are.
Like Vanellope I sometimes feel trapped in a world in which I don’t belong. I often feel like I am meant for more than this.
Remember what C.S. Lewis said.
“If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.”
Notice this; Vanellope was unable to fulfill her purpose alone. It was in a community that she found the hope and encouragement she needed to fulfill her purpose!
In Ralph – in a relationship – she found the encouragement and help that she needed.
With Ralph’s help, she gets a car.
With Ralph’s help, she finally gets to drive.
With Ralph’s help – with Ralph’s friendship – she gains confidence!
Most of us will not have our “burning bush” encounter.
Instead of a burning bush, God gave us a community; our family (maybe) and our Church.
Our family is the first place where most of us learn about God.
If it’s not our family then it was probably through a friend or through a Church.
This community introduces us to God and then helps us know His story better.
It is in this community of faith that we have the opportunity to learn, serve, discover our strengths and gifts and passion.
It is in this community that we, like Vanellope, fulfill our purpose.
But like Vanellope we need help!
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Until next time, God bless.
Simon L Smith
