Marvel Comics puts lots of money into movies about superheroes. And – based on success at the box office – lots of people connect with these superheroes at some level. Not everyone is “into” superheroes. But most people can pinpoint at least one superhero they admire. Who is that superhero for you? This list will give you a start –
- Captain America
- Iron Man
- The Hulk
- Spider-Man
- Thor
- Hawkeye
- Black Panther
- Doctor Strange
- Black Widow
- Ant-Man
- Falcon
- Superman
- Batman (Well, Superman and Batman are really D.C. Comics)
- Director Fury
- Someone not in this list?
- Maybe a person in your life!
A Regular Person Superhero
KINTSUGI – “The Japanese developed…a method of repairing broken pottery. Rather than throw shattered ceramic in the trash…useless…no value, a kintsugi artist gathers all the broken shards…mixes a special lacquer of gold or platinum and uses it…to adhere the broken pieces together…fills each crack with the expensive lacquer, putting each shard in its place. The result is a stunning work of art. The point…to showcase the object’s brokenness, yet to visibly highlight its repair into an entirely new piece…beautiful…more valuable, and radiant with gold and platinum.” (Joni Eareckson Tada)
Every superhero is a regular person with flaws – even weaknesses. However, their virtues (motives, skill sets, and strengths) more than compensate for their vices. I once heard it said that every person is a mixture of gold and clay with incredible beauty while also being less than perfect.
Gold + clay = you and me.
God created you in His image. Subsequently, you possess incredible glory, unique skill sets, problem-solving abilities, seeds of excellent character, creativity, and hope. Interestingly, God quite literally formed you from the clay of this earth with His own hands. You are a unique combination of –
- power and needs
- strength and weakness
- glory and shortcomings (different than sins)
- potential and limitations
- courage and reasonable fear
- victories and failures.
God does not possess the weak qualities in this list. He possesses the strong ones. However, all people possess both weak and strong qualities.
Let’s explore what God intends with this kind of design.
Hand-In-Glove
God completes you. It’s like putting your hand in God’s glove. His design for your life includes the simple act of surrender while being enveloped by Himself. Incidentally, in His glove, you find perspective, power, strength, character, renewal, and resilience. A gloved hand is invisible, but it’s presence is very real.
Col. 3:3 says, “For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” Your hand in God’s glove is you, tucked inside a protective force-field.
Since there’s nothing God can’t do, with your hand in His glove, there is nothing you can’t do. So, when you put yourself – your full essence and identity – into Christ, you become “super you.” Gloved, “[you] can do all things through Christ who strengthens [you].” (Phil. 4:13)
You become a regular person superhero when you are gloved. Interestingly, when you stay gloved, you fail less.
You can also flip this analogy the other way around.
Think of yourself as an attractive, yet empty glove. You are helpless until a hand slips in. When you invite God’s Spirit to live inside you, His hand slips into your empty glove. Jesus helps you manage daily issues. In Christ, you possess strength and purpose God designed for you. On the other hand, without God’s vibrant life inside your glove, you are an empty, shell-of-a-person.
There’s no safer place to put your hand than in God’s glove. At the same time, no other person is worthy to fill your glove than the Lord.
Either way, you were designed to live gloved! And – that’s what a regular person superhero is. So – glove up!
How To Be A Superhero
Did you know your mind-set affects everything? Big stuff. Small stuff. Short-term. And especially long-term. So, what is your present mind-set?
Adopt a fresh mind-set by adopting God’s thoughts. Regular person “superhero-things” result from trading your thoughts for God’s thoughts. Is. 55:9 says, “. . . as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways . . . and My thoughts than your thoughts.”
So, what is a superhero mindset?
Superheroes have a mix of glory, frailty, sacrifice, and overcoming. They engage this mix to accomplish good. Consequently, that means they serve.
So, how can you gain a superhero mindset each day?
FIRST
Let’s look at Jesus when He lived on earth. He overpowered the villain, but died in the process. Yet, He successfully broke the power of sin. Your self-sacrificing hero came back to life again. And your sin lies in a heap – trampled.
Surely, Jesus has a big “S” on His shirt. Jesus is your Sacrifice, Savior, and Superhero. And because He took out your villain, He is also Successful.
Sacrifice- Savior
- Superhero
- Successful
Because Jesus paid the death penalty for all sin and took away your condemnation, you are free to live the life He designed. Similarly, since He took your guilt, you are no longer guilty. He became sin – so you could be free of it. (2 Cor. 5:21) Freedom is knowing the truth and being empowered by it. Jn. 8:32 says, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Incidentally, there’s more. Since your sin died with Jesus on the cross, it’s DEAD. That means you have another option. To be truly free means options to choose from. Because sin is rendered powerless – dead – you must render it powerless in your mind, motives, and future choices.
Consequently, if you confess to be a sincere Jesus follower, sin is not an option for you anymore. Why would you resurrect behaviors and habits that separate you again from God, who loves you deeply? Why not commit, instead, to His loving training in your new freedom? You can be an overcomer. You can be a regular person superhero.
Set your mind here. Be vibrantly alive in Christ even as you consider yourself dead to sin. Insist on this superhero mind-set, and stay in it. Remember: Jesus is your Sacrifice, Savior, Superhero, and He is always Successful.
SECOND
Now, let’s look at you. We already talked about choosing a superhero mind-set. But it’s also critical to acknowledge the reality of “bad guys.” I’m confident you have villains in your life. Incidentally, Jesus made it possible for you to conquer all your enemies. He made His power instantly available for you. In fact, you can live in His power all the time. Your-hand-in-His-glove. His-Hand-in-your-glove.
This arrangement reflects your new freedom. In His power, you are a conqueror. Rom. 8:37 says, “. . . in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”
So, add some “S” words into your life. It’s time you strive to live in the power of His Word: be sincere, get serious, and surrender to the principles of Scripture.
- Strive
- Sincere
- Serious
- Surrender
Having all this information about your Superhero and about your options to be a regular person superhero – tell me – why would you live in bondage? And why would you allow effects of guilt to cut into your confidence? Why would you be overwhelmed with fear? Incidentally, do you see yourself as a victim? And why keep resurrecting sin habits, giving them power, while practicing something God pronounced dead? Think about this!
“S” words suggest you have more in you. Strive. Sincere. Serious. Surrender.
THIRD
Many times, simply doing what needs to be done, you enter the superhero domain. You –
- train to pursue good over evil,
- get your hands dirty,
- encourage others while you engage courage, and
- decide the risk is worth it.
Then the domain of your life expands into influence and power to glorify God and bless your fellowman.
God created you to be powerful and free – your true created self. So, why not accept and explore the person God designed you to be? Scripture declares He’s had you in His mind before He created anything! Jer. 1:5 says, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.”
You are your true self by being you and doing what needs to be done each day.
Superhero Strategies To Be Great
Since a regular person superhero battle is won or lost in your mind, make informed, strategic decisions by faith.
- Put your hand in God’s strong, safe glove.
- Invite God to slip His loving, effectual hand into your lovely life glove.
- Pattern your life after Jesus’ life. Read the gospels to see His example. By faith, choose His power and freedom to be a regular person superhero.
- Remember – Jesus makes it possible to conquer all your villains. You are more than a conqueror by staying sincere and serious about your surrender to Jesus.
- Serve God and your fellowman. Simply do what needs to be done. Have you accepted being a servant?
Application Thoughts And Questions
- Have you put your hand in God’s glove?
- Did you invite Him to slip His hand into your life glove?
- Do you believe God’s “S” words: Sacrifice, Savior, Superhero, and Successful?
- Are you practicing your “S” words: Strive. Sincere. Serious. Surrender?
- Additionally, are you daily looking to Jesus for His example?
- How are you overcoming villains in your life?
- Are you effectively and simply doing what needs to be done each day?
- And are you strategically applying God’s Word in life details, problems, relationships, and challenges?
- What keeps you from becoming a regular person superhero?
* REMEMBER – Holidays are coming quickly. Celebrate Advent: A Life-Response to Emmanuel is wonderful, devotional tool to use Dec. 1-31 to prepare for Christmas. Short, simple, meaningful. And content principles are “keepers” every day of the year. If you order now, you’ll be ready to use on Dec. 1. (ebook or paperback)
Another great Holiday Tool is Prepare For Christmas Without Missing It. This tool has helped people break out of holiday busy-ness and into hope and meaningful celebration. (ebook)
Both books make beautiful gifts. Check them out in our online store.
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