KICK-DERRIERE MAN
At a young age, one of my grandsons was obsessed with superheroes—even able recite endless trivia about obscure Marvel & DC characters. Once I asked him what his name would be if he were a superhero. After a brief discussion, he settled on “Kick-Butt Man.” This moniker encapsulates all the super powers of every superhero in one form, producing the quintessential superhero: Kick-Butt Man! (I apologize if the word "butt" offends you. Somehow “Kick-Derriere Man” doesn't cut it!)
Remember when you were ten and dreamed of being “Kick-Butt Man,” or your own version of it? For me it was playing center field for the New York Yankees and breaking all of Mickey Mantle's records. But along the way, something happened to our dreams. Not only did we fail in our quest to become "Kick-Butt Man", but the world ended up kicking our posteriors!
There’s a freedom in this process. We learn to surrender our dreams to God, because he always wants more for us than we want for ourselves. Jeremiah 29:11 promises, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
But there's also a sense in which each of us really are “Kick-Butt Man.” When you come to Christ, God's Spirit takes up residence in you, infusing you with supernatural power (Romans 8:11). According to Ephesians 1:19-20, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead (God's supernatural life-giving power) is available to us who believe. He empowers us to face any challenge.
In God’s eyes, we’re his superheroes. Sure we’re flawed; we fail; we fall short. But we’re in some pretty good company. Noah got drunk. Joseph was abused. Leah was ugly. Moses was a murderer. Rahab was a prostitute. Elijah was suicidal. Isaiah preached naked. John the Baptist ate bugs. Peter denied Christ. Mary Magdalene was demon-possessed. And Lazarus was dead! The great heroes of faith were all broken and bruised. (https://jimdaly.focusonthefamily.com/before-you-say-you-39-re-not-qualified/)
I don't have to be exposed to gamma rays, get bitten by a radioactive spider, or come from another planet to be a superhero. I possess the supernatural power of the Creator of the universe living in me. How do I access his power? Just suit up, show up, shut up, and try not to get in God’s way. Move over Hulk and make way for “Kick-Butt Man!”
Principle: Each of us are God’s superheroes.
Ponder:
At what times do you feel you might actually be one of God’s superheroes?
What can you do this next week to live as God’s superhero?
Pursue: For a deeper dive, study Hebrews 11.
Prayer: Almighty God, thank you for infusing me with your supernatural power. I don’t have to face life alone. You live in me.
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