Beloved
- Apr 18
- 4 min read
By: Angela A.
Date: April 18, 2026
My favourite movie scene of all time is the famous "Remember Who You Are" clip from Disney's The Lion King. Leading up to the scene, Nala bumps into Simba after many years and implores him to return to Pride Rock to take his rightful place as king. However, Simba, still feeling guilty over Mufasa's (his father's) death, refuses, gets into an argument with Nala, runs off, then encounters Rafiki. A brief conversation ensues in which Simba confesses that he is confused about his identity. Rafiki reminds Simba that he is "Mufasa's boy", then leads Simba to a body of water and instructs him to "look down there." Seemingly disappointed at what he sees, Simba tells Rafiki, "That's not my father; that's just my reflection." After Rafiki encourages Simba saying, "No, look harder. You see? He lives in you", Simba's reflection turns into Mufasa's face. Mufasa then appears in sky, and the most powerful part of the scene follows:
Mufasa: Simba
Simba: Father?
Mufasa: Simba, you have forgotten me.
Simba: No! How could I?
Mufasa: You have forgotten who you are and so forgotten me. Look inside yourself, Simba. You are more than what you have become. You must take your place in the circle of life.
Simba: How can I go back? I'm not who I used to be.
Mufasa (beginning to fade away): Remember who you are. You are my son and the one true king. Remember who you are.
Simba: No! Please! Don't leave me!
Mufasa (voice growing faint): Remember.
Simba: Father!
Mufasa (voice more faint): Remember.
Simba: Don't leave me.
Mufasa (whisper): Remember1
I think we can all relate to Simba as there are times when we may find ourselves confused about who we are or about our place in the world. We may have the tendency to run away from our past or whatever lies ahead; we may be tempted to live carefree lives, finding purpose and fulfillment in the Timons and Pumbaas or distractions.
At the end of one of my counselling sessions, my psychologist assigned me with some homework: "If you had the biggest canvas and all the tools, how would you paint yourself? What would you look like? Who would you be? Who are you? What is God's purpose for your life?" I deeply struggled with answering these questions, and I was afraid of what I would discover if I took the assignment seriously. After some intentional reflection, it occurred to me that I would continue to wrestle with the questions unless I understood my identity in the eyes of our Heavenly Father. I was prompted to pick up my bible and was led to eight verses2, each from which a different word came to me. Now equipped with all the tools, I was moved to actually create a canvas as a firm reminder that God tells me that
I am
· created - So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them (Genesis 1:27).
· chosen - just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love (Ephesians 1:4).
· free - For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery (Galatians 5:1).
· precious - Because you are precious in my sight, and honored, and I love you, I give people in return for you, nations in exchange for your life (Isaiah 43:4).
· unique - For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well (Psalm 139:13-14)
· courageous - I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:9).
· strong - but those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint (Isaiah 40:31).
· enough - Not that we are competent of ourselves to claim anything as coming from us; our competence is from God (2 Corinthians 3:5).
As I look back, I think of the prompt to pick up my bible as the Holy Spirit encouraging me to look at my reflection, and each verse I was led to was God's way of reminding me, "Remember who you are".
To end, I am sharing two pieces by Sarah Kroeger (a Catholic singer, songwriter, and author) in prayer that they would serve as a beautiful reminder of God repeating to you over and over again, "Remember who you are. You are my beloved."
________________________
1Allers, R., & Minkoff, R. (Directors). (1994). The Lion King [Film]. Walt Disney Pictures.
2All Scripture passages from New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition. (2000). St. Mary's Press. (Original work published 1993 and 1989).
Comments