In A Nutshell | April 29, 2022

Surrendering to the One True Superhero

I was never really a big fan of the Marvel Superhero Comic Book series, although several of the guys in my neighborhood were voracious readers of the franchise. In fact, one of them was a talented artist and even created his own storylines.

As for me, I preferred to watch the exploits of these superheroes on television, first the reruns of Superman and later the wildly popular Batman series, which aired as many as three times a week in primetime in the mid-1960s.

We would watch the episodes each evening and then talk about them on the bus as we traveled to school the following day. Even though we were only in elementary school, we knew that these programs were pure fantasy, and even a little bit silly. Still, it was fun to imagine what it would be like to have super powers.

Now that we are adults, we occasionally live our lives as if we were superhuman, extending ourselves in a variety of ways. We do this with good intentions, often in the context of trying to help others, but ultimately, we realize that we are not superheroes and we have no special powers. The reality is that there are some things — many things — in life that we cannot overcome. 

Despite this realization, we know that we have an advocate in Jesus, and as we read in Philippians 4:13, “[we] can do all things through Christ who strengthens [us].” Exactly how and when this applies to our life is hard to say, but we know that through him, anything is possible.

This gives us hope, even in the most dire of circumstances, and it also teaches us, as the legendary hymn, “Jesus Loves Me,” so clearly states, “We are weak, but he is strong.” 

It is here that we encounter an irony in our faith. When we surrender to him instead of foolishly trying to do things that are clearly beyond our realm, we actually become stronger and wiser.

Proverbs 9:10 offers another irony when it states that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” When we fear the Lord, we actually become more courageous.

This is why it is so important to proclaim Jesus as our Lord and Savior, to commit ourselves to him, and to foster a lifelong relationship, through which he can guide and counsel, provide and protect.

Superheroes are fun, but they are pure fantasy. The God we serve is real, alive, and everlasting. Let us take comfort, gain wisdom, and build strength in our relationship with him, and let us invite others to covenant with him so that they, too, will have greater comfort and clarity in this world and greater affirmation and assurance in the world to come in our Father’s Heavenly Kingdom.

Until We Meet Again, Be Blessed! – Pastor John