Recently, I was asked this question in a Bible study that I have been asked many times before and that question is, if you had super powers what kind would you want to have and why? As I listened to every answer, the usuals were invincibility, ability to fly, teleportation, and strength. Out of all those answers, I thought to myself that each one of us are already capable of having those abilities inside us. As you read this, I may sound a little crazy to you but you have to ask yourself a question as well in why wouldn’t you be able to have those special abilities if you believe in a God that can make things happen through us? Do we doubt God’s abilities? The last time I checked, God never changes. As a child, I sung about how my God was so big, so strong and so mighty, there is nothing that my God can not do, yet we still doubt that same God and those abilities he has given us. Let’s look at some scripture that directs us in a way that makes all things possible. Matthew 21:21 tells us "For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."
So, if all that is required of us is that small of faith, why do we still doubt the abilities God has given us? Do we think that God is not capable of using us the same way that he did the disciples when Jesus was flesh on earth? In 2 Timothy 2: 20-22 Paul tells us what it takes to be used by God and that every person in the world is a possible vessel for God to use, regardless of what his/her attitude to God may be. The gospel reveals that God uses, even His enemies, like Satan to accomplish His work and that God’s sovereignty is such that no matter who we may be or what we may be like, we can be used by Him by the super powers he has given to us. As I have said many times before, we are not perfect people but we serve a perfect God and that allows us to strive for perfection and look deep inside of our capabilities.
There are a couple of superheroes that remind me of how we as Christians compare in our walk with Jesus. My favorite superhero of all time is Batman. The reason he is my favorite is because I relate to him a lot because like him, I don’t possess special powers from a bite from a spider or rely on solar radiation to give me strength like Superman. Instead, I rely on the strength of the son of God and am a normal guy like him. He also faces his fear. I have been afraid of heights my entire life but I will ride every roller coaster to face those fears. What are you afraid of? Have you allowed Jesus to handle those fears that you have? If not, why not? 2 Timothy 1:7 tells us that God has not given us fear but he gives us power, love, and self-discipline. Batman faced his fear of bats by becoming one and fighting darkness with light while becoming the dark knight. You too can fight darkness with the light of the world, Jesus.
Iron Man is another superhero that we can all relate to when following Jesus without needing special powers. Putting on the full armor of God allows us to defeat the enemy of Satan and lets us continue on the direction Jesus has for us. Just like when Tony Stark had issues with his heart and created an arc reactor to protect is Ephesians chapter 6 tells us how to be strong and protect ourselves from the things this world will throw at us. If we as Christians do not find away to protect our heart, the enemy wins and if we only put half the armor on for battle than we will be destroyed and being unprepared doesn’t help win souls for Jesus.
Lastly, I think about another superhero that we as Christians compare to in our walk with Jesus, The Green Lantern. If you know anything about this super hero, his main power source is a ring, which, to Lord of the Ring fans golem would say it is “my precious.” Without the ring, power is not attainable, which means purpose is lost. I always think of the ring representing Jesus in how we as Christians tend to only put on the ring when we need the power of Jesus for something to get us through troubled times but we never keep it on at all times. I rarely take off my wedding band because I feel that it shows that I represent one with my wife and I’m not afraid to show others that my love for her means more to me than any other human on earth. Without the ring on, I don’t truly represent who I am, married. Just like the ring being the representation of Jesus in this world, I couldn’t imagine not showing him at all times. Jesus is that power we all need and He is always there even though we do not represent him like we should. Deuteronomy 31:6 reminds us about being powerful and strong and courageous always because Jesus is always with us in every situation and we do not have to face life on our own or have super powers but our only need is Him.
Just like superheroes, we are not perfect and have many weaknesses but Jesus is that heroic power and strength that we always need to hang on to because with Him leading us into those battles, we can never be defeated. May you show that heroic power and strength today for all to see and be His superhero forever, Amen.
