THE WISDOM OF SUPERMAN
One of my favorite shows of yester-year was Lois and Clark: the New Adventures of Superman. Something about the silliness and chemistry of the show was endearing to me, even though I never saw a single show when it was actually being aired. You see, it played mainly on Sunday evenings and I was usually in youth groups or evening worship (this was all before the great invention of Tivo, mind you, when my whole world changed for the better). I started watching it in reruns on TNT, enjoyed them thoroughly and watched every episode (multiple times, I might add). Like so many fans of the show, I was frustrated that the series was abruptly halted with the fourth season's cliffhanger never resolved.
I was thinking about one of the episodes recently in talking with a friend who was struggling. The episode revolved around a guy that Superman had saved and in the process of saving him, the man hurts his arm so he sues Superman. In the process of the episode, the defense lawyer (who was suitably loud, obnoxious and slimey) did everything he could to smear Superman's good name and called into question his reasons for helping others. In the big courtroom scene, Superman takes the witness stand and is asked by his own lawyer why he chooses to do the things he does when it essentially makes him a target to those looking to exploit him. His response was, "When I save a life, in that instant, I know two things that most people will never figure out: Why I'm here, and how I can make a difference."
I wish it were that simple in real life. Finding and knowing your purpose in this life can be a frustrating ordeal. Using talents and abilities that God gives us to map out a path for your life can help, but what happens when you get to a point and suddenly wonder, "Is this where I am supposed to be? Am I really making a difference?"
I would guess we sometimes make it too complicated. Difficult times can cause us to question whether or not a real purpose remains in the day-to-day monotony of our lives. It may even cause us to question whether God has led us down some path of trepidation and now, has disappeared, leaving us alone to fend for ourselves in a seemingly impossible situation. Of course, it is easy to recall Scriptures that remind you that "no discipline seems pleasant at the time ..." and that we are to "consider it pure joy when we face trials" but in the midst of our struggles, those truths are hard to swallow and even harder to celebrate as genuine.
It is in these times that we must turn to our faith, lashing ourselves to the "anchor of hope" and praying for the strength to endure hardships that we don't understand and trust in a time where it seems much easier to let go and succumb to the pressure that presses against us and demands that we surrender. Trust is simple when things are calm and peaceful, but it is in the middle of the storm that trust grows, strengthens and matures. It is in those times and through those times that we become what really intends that we be. It sounds simplistic, but sometimes we just have to grit our teeth and press on through the storm, knowing that God will either 1) Calm the storm before it overwhelms us or 2) Protect us against the raging of the storm until it has passed. It doesn't mean that fear will be absent, it doesn't mean that it won't be dangerous and it doesn't mean that our lives won't suffer some damage. But it does mean we will get through!
When it has all died down, when we have made it through, it is so much easier to look back and realize the purpose God had for us (to strengthen us, to motivate us, to teach us, etc.). We might as well accept the fact that in this life there will be problems, but as we find our purpose in situations, in ministry and life in general, we head toward our ultimate harbor of safety in heaven one day. The bonus will be that through all of the storms of this life we will have been given the chance to play a part in saving other lives along the way, sometimes even through our greatest struggles. Our example and testimony just may end up being the thing that God uses to express his truth to someone in need of forgiveness, whether it be someone close to us or even a complete stranger. In those moments, as we have trusted him, we will know two things: why we were there and how we made a difference.
(cue the REM song: I am, I am, I am Superman!) ... yeah, right!
I was thinking about one of the episodes recently in talking with a friend who was struggling. The episode revolved around a guy that Superman had saved and in the process of saving him, the man hurts his arm so he sues Superman. In the process of the episode, the defense lawyer (who was suitably loud, obnoxious and slimey) did everything he could to smear Superman's good name and called into question his reasons for helping others. In the big courtroom scene, Superman takes the witness stand and is asked by his own lawyer why he chooses to do the things he does when it essentially makes him a target to those looking to exploit him. His response was, "When I save a life, in that instant, I know two things that most people will never figure out: Why I'm here, and how I can make a difference."
I wish it were that simple in real life. Finding and knowing your purpose in this life can be a frustrating ordeal. Using talents and abilities that God gives us to map out a path for your life can help, but what happens when you get to a point and suddenly wonder, "Is this where I am supposed to be? Am I really making a difference?"
I would guess we sometimes make it too complicated. Difficult times can cause us to question whether or not a real purpose remains in the day-to-day monotony of our lives. It may even cause us to question whether God has led us down some path of trepidation and now, has disappeared, leaving us alone to fend for ourselves in a seemingly impossible situation. Of course, it is easy to recall Scriptures that remind you that "no discipline seems pleasant at the time ..." and that we are to "consider it pure joy when we face trials" but in the midst of our struggles, those truths are hard to swallow and even harder to celebrate as genuine.
It is in these times that we must turn to our faith, lashing ourselves to the "anchor of hope" and praying for the strength to endure hardships that we don't understand and trust in a time where it seems much easier to let go and succumb to the pressure that presses against us and demands that we surrender. Trust is simple when things are calm and peaceful, but it is in the middle of the storm that trust grows, strengthens and matures. It is in those times and through those times that we become what really intends that we be. It sounds simplistic, but sometimes we just have to grit our teeth and press on through the storm, knowing that God will either 1) Calm the storm before it overwhelms us or 2) Protect us against the raging of the storm until it has passed. It doesn't mean that fear will be absent, it doesn't mean that it won't be dangerous and it doesn't mean that our lives won't suffer some damage. But it does mean we will get through!
When it has all died down, when we have made it through, it is so much easier to look back and realize the purpose God had for us (to strengthen us, to motivate us, to teach us, etc.). We might as well accept the fact that in this life there will be problems, but as we find our purpose in situations, in ministry and life in general, we head toward our ultimate harbor of safety in heaven one day. The bonus will be that through all of the storms of this life we will have been given the chance to play a part in saving other lives along the way, sometimes even through our greatest struggles. Our example and testimony just may end up being the thing that God uses to express his truth to someone in need of forgiveness, whether it be someone close to us or even a complete stranger. In those moments, as we have trusted him, we will know two things: why we were there and how we made a difference.
(cue the REM song: I am, I am, I am Superman!) ... yeah, right!
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