Saturday, November 15, 2008

Super Powers

Aside for my adolescent affection for David Banner and his mean green alter ego, "The Hulk," I've never been a fan of movies or T.V. shows based on comic books. Had I not married a man who stomps his feet with excitement whenever a trailer promoting the latest flick about an iconic hero with superpowers is shown for the first time, I most likely would have gone the rest of my life without watching such characters.

The first time The Professor brought me to a theater to see a movie based on some legend from his childhood was to the premier of X-Men. As we stood in line behind a man wearing Wolverine claws, I rolled my eyes and thought that I would enjoy the next two hours as much as I enjoyed tweezing my eye-brows.


I was wrong. After spending just 180 minutes alternating holding my breath and crying as the Marvel Heroes fought the bad guys and their inner demons, I was hooked. Now when a movie about a costumed crusader against evil is released, I'm ready to book a babysitter and stand in line. I'm also more likely to get caught up in T.V. shows focusing on people with powers of the super variety (hence my addiction to NBC’s Heroes).


Although the action scenes are riveting, it's the classic struggle between good and evil that keeps me glued. It's viewing seemingly ordinary people grapple with discovering that they are now different from others...different from whom they thought they once were. It's watching characters evolve not into people with super powers, but into people who are willing to make mountainous sacrifices for humankind.


I cannot leap giant buildings in a single bound, nor can I heal myself, or control minds...and I run slightly faster than a speeding turtle; but still I identify with the Clark Kent’s, Peter Parker’s, and Claire Bennett’s of the fantasy world. Because like them, I am different…set a apart. I don’t believe this because I think I am more special or better than anyone else. In fact, it’s not about me at all. It’s about Jesus and letting others know that I follow the Messiah.


As said by Peter Parker’s aunt in the movie Spiderman, “With great power comes great responsibility.” All Christians are given the responsibility of living up to the standards of a glorious and all-powerful God. That’s not small stuff… it is certainly too big for me to accomplish on my own strength. The good news is that I’m not meant to do it alone. And when I am tired, weary, frustrated, and broken from this world and from simply being me, I can rest in the One whose power is beyond anything in this universe.


Romans 12:1-3 (New Living Translation)

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us

New Living Translation (NLT)

Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers.





28 comments:

Denise said...

Amen sweetie.

Jennifer said...

Great post!

Pam said...

Wow! What a wonderful post. I've been so swamped and not commenting on blog much lately. I scan it in my reader and move on. The reason I am rambling here is that you really caught my attention and not only did I click over, I'm commenting. You have such a power with words. I'm in awe of your faith. I need to be more resolved in my faith. I have a lot to learn from you!

Ohilda said...

Thank you for stopping by my blog! I will definitely be back to check in our yours! It's great!

Ohilda

Unknown said...

Hi! Thanks so much for popping by and leaving some crafty encouragement for me!
Be blessed!
I'll be back!

Jennifer said...

P. S. I have an award waiting for you over at my "place"...come by and pick it up when you get time.

Yogihan said...

Hello!
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog. I use to fall short on anything to do with housekeeping and organizing, and at times I still do. But I keep trying and learning and that's what is important in regards to home keeping. I enjoyed your post and agree with Pam that I am in awe of your faith!
x

Lucy Mills said...

I went through the same thing with my husband - started with X-men, too!!

Mindy said...

This was a great post! I've never thought of the comparison between the super storyline and being saved in Jesus but thinking of it brought a smile to my face and inspired me today!

Stop by Shore's End when you can to see my new winter layout and learn about a new holiday meme I'll be hosting Turesday!

Julie said...

I loved this post....I missed you while you were gone. I missed your beautiful heart. I pray you had a wonderful time away.

I can't watch a movie any longer without seeing something about the spiritual road.

I think that is why I love the show "Dancing with the Stars" so much, it represents the dance and coming alive in the dance.

I'm glad you are back...sure missed ya,

Hugs,
Julie

GrandCanyonMom said...

Thank you for this. I love that scripture that you used at the end. That is one of my all time favorites, but I don't think I've ever read it in NLT. Awesome!

Love,
Jaime

Betty said...

I am so pleased you visited with me and took the time to leave a comment.....

We do owe so much to our veterans and often fail to show them our appreciation....

I want to return to your blog when I have more time to visit....

God Bless....Betty

Savvy-Motherhood said...

Good post! Loved it :)

Joy Junktion said...

I am so thankful that we don't have to do it alone.

Glad you are back from your holiday ~ hope you enjoyed it.
Missed you.
Cindy

Jennifer said...

Another winner!

Gretchen said...

Indeed we are so mighty in Him, and so weak on our own. What a paradox. I'm learning it each day. Thanks for, as usual, your insight and transparency, Angela.

Amy said...

I am in awe of these movies too. Especially with boys, 12 and 10. We have seen several. We do have a great responsibility to tell others and show to others what a Great God we serve. Blessings.

Tracy said...

Awesome post! Like you, despite my initial hesitation, my hubby and son eventually got me hooked on movies like X-men, Spiderman, etc. and especially the tv series, Heroes. Love your spiritual application!

I haven't been by for some time...my blogging time has been cut way back. Good to hear your heart again today.

Tracy said...

always enjoy what you have to say.
blessings,

Anonymous said...

I love how you can take everything and find a spiritual lesson in it. Great!

Unknown said...

I really enjoyed reading your post. You are a very gift writer.

Lisa Spence said...

Never saw X-Men, but loved the Spidey movies! Great post!

Faith said...

What a great encouraging post. God bless you and your family! I also wanted to thank you for stopping by my blog! It's nice to see some fresh faces now and again :)

Anonymous said...

What an awesome post. I've mulled over that same comparison myself sometimes.

And I'd like to say it was my hubby that got me started (he does get quite excited about the most obscure comic book to movie releases), but sadly, I was reading comic books as a kid already thanks to an older brother with a serious collection going on!

Penny said...

Ooooh -- very nice!! Great post!!!

Unknown said...

I enjoyed this post. I'm not a big fan of those movies, but I do, like you, enjoy the good and evil concept. A phrase from a movie favorite of mine is: "You were born to privilege, with that comes specific obligations." I often point out to high school students I'm teaching that I see that as applying to all of us as Christians. We were "born again" to privilege and with that come specific obligations."
The best part of it is, just as you said, it's the power of the Spirit of God working in us that enables us to do what He requires. We just have to agree to His will, surrender and let Him do whatever He desires to do, in us, to us and through us.
Thanks for you wonderful blog.
Blessings,
Penny

Brenda Susan said...

I love your blog & have given you an award! Come & get it!

Mel said...

Extraordinary!!! I am not a cartoon/super hero type of person but I do love the X-Men. What you said about being set apart, you are right it does make us different...amazing post

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...