Our Own Super Powers

By Rhonda Rhea –

Somebody asked me what super power I would want if I could have any of them. I thought about it, and then I decided on Batman’s. Because as far as I can tell, Batman’s super power is this: having a fat boatload of money. That one just seemed the most reasonable.

After thinking about it a little more, I decided it was entirely conceivable that I’ve already been bitten by a radioactive spider. It would have to have been a spider that had the spider super power of being a regular human. So now that’s my super power. You know. Being a regular human. But again, this worked out okay for Batman.

So I’m not going to get all bent out of shape about not being a super hero. For one thing, getting bent out of shape would make me Mr. Fantastic or Elastic Man or somebody stretchy like that. But mostly because all of that is silly pretend power. I know where the real stuff comes from. We have power available to accomplish everything worthy of accomplishing—all through the power of the Spirit of God.

Through His power and according to His plan, every believer has the amazing opportunity to work for the Kingdom of God. Paul tells us in Ephesians 2:10, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (ESV). I love thinking about the way every task has been long ago hand chosen for each of us individually by a loving Father.

If He hand picks each mission, why would we even for a second wonder where the power would come from to carry out each of those missions? In that same chapter in Ephesians, we’re told, “In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit,” (verse 22, ESV). We never lack the power to carry out whatever job He’s given us to do. That power—His power—dwells in us. First Corinthians 12:6 says that “there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone” (ESV).

We’re not talking about a person’s “abilities” here. Not our strength. Not our intelligence. Not our possessions or our money—even if we have a fat boatload of it. This power is infinitely bigger. We’re empowered by the Holy Spirit of God. Super powers of the highest order.

If you ever find yourself feeling inadequate for a task you believe God has called you to, let me encourage you to remember that you don’t need to hesitate for a second. He will accomplish through you by His indwelling power every job He’s calling you to do. No need to shy away from any task—even those that seem overwhelming in your own non-super-heroic powers.

The power to share His Gospel, for instance, comes directly from the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:8 says that “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses” (NASB). You will receive “power.”

The power to change the world is right there. And it stretches from here to eternity. Without the slightest assistance from Mr. Fantastic.

Feed My Sheep

By Susan Dollyhigh –

The gravel crunched under my tires as I drove into the parking lot of the old, white-frame cottage. I parked my car and entered the homeless shelter where a motley crew of men, women, and children were waiting for me to lead them in Bible study. This group had been at the shelter for a couple of months, and I had gotten to know them well.

We spent time in God’s Word, and right after we closed in prayer, a local church dropped off a donation of four large pizzas. And pizza is a treat at the homeless shelter.

“Please stay and eat with us!” Lisa said.

I’d already distributed goody bags to everyone, packed my bag, and was ready to go out the door. And honestly, I couldn’t stand the thought of taking even one slice of their pizza.

“Thank- you, but I’d better go home,” I said.

“Oh, come on. We have plenty!” Lisa said.

Another resident chimed in, “Yes, please stay!”

I knew they appreciated the small goody bags I brought each week, and could sense they were excited to be able to offer something to me in return.

“Oh…okay,” I said.

Lisa grabbed the pizza boxes and hurried out to the back porch where she placed them on a rickety, old table. An eclectic mix of chairs was gathered, and Lisa pulled out the one at the head of the table, “You sit here, Ms. Susie.”

I soon realized I was the guest of honor as the residents scurried around…taking care of me. One of the children proudly set a Coke before me, and Lisa placed pizza on a paper plate, insisting I be served first. Everyone soon settled down and began eating, but their joy over sharing a meal with me was apparent as we talked, and laughed, and ate pizza together on the back porch. My heart soon felt full to the point of overflowing by the love lavished on me by my homeless friends.

Three times Jesus asked Peter, who had claimed to love Jesus more than the other disciples, if he truly loved Him. Each time Peter answered yes and Jesus response was, “feed my lambs”, “ take care of my sheep”, and “feed my sheep.”

I’d come to care for those living at the shelter, but what a blessing I would have denied both the residents and myself, had I not allowed them the opportunity to care for me.

Prayer: Father, thank- you for the opportunities You give us to “take care of Your sheep.” Thank-you for blessing our hearts in such wonderful ways. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Bible Verse: “The third time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ He said, ‘Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said, ‘Feed my sheep’ ” (John 21:17 NIV).

Winning

By Marcus Smith –

“But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also” (Matthew 5:39 NIV).

This verse reveals one of the many ways in which the economy of God is the opposite of the economy of the world. How many people, merely when threatened, rush to defend themselves with force? People operating under the world’s economy seek the biggest weapon, the smartest put-down, the solidarity of friends to lock out an offender. Whatever resource will defeat an enemy physically, mentally or even socially becomes acceptable.

Yet in the race to win, what is forgotten is God’s call. God calls us not to win, but to love.

“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:43-4).

Christians do not have the privilege of hating their enemies or of failing to pray for them. Although not expressly forbidden, the reliance on physical weapons is discouraged as Matthew 26:52 and Revelation 13:10 warn that those who kill with weapons are themselves subject to such death. Likewise, when we find enemies on any number of other less lethal but no less spiritually damaging arenas we must consider whether our response should leap to the weapons of that arena.

As a young man growing up in Texas, my enemy could take the form of another young man. Perhaps even a friend. And with few unkind words, a flurry of fists and dirt and blood, another battle would be over. Another victory won. Another cheek not turned.

Among women, the conflict increasingly looks the same, but Rachel Simmons in her recently revised breakaway best seller Odd Girl Out: The Hidden Culture of Aggression in Girls reports on the devastating consequences of social exclusion and ostracism in female culture. From dirty looks and taunting notes, to sudden removal and ostracism from even an established group of friends, girls have their own techniques for punishing their social enemies.

As we struggle in this life, it makes perfect sense, natural sense, common sense for us to hit back when someone attacks. And if we have the opportunity, why not hit first? If we have an opponent we cannot out debate, we can strike first in a new arena by attacking them socially.

Christians have an even trickier struggle as we are prone to spiritualize personal strife. Our enemies become spiritual enemies, our struggles with them become discussed in spiritual rather than personal terms, and our disagreements move us to create spiritual walls that separate us into convenient camps of worthy and unworthy.

But Matthew 5:43-4 teaches us the mark of God’s presence in a person’s life is that they do not hit back, much less hit first, or hit in a new way.

To be a Christian is to set aside any mindset that prevents us from treating our enemies, all our enemies, with love and prayer. Only then do we display the presence of Christ in our lives.

As Oswald Chambers writes, “…you cannot imitate the nature of Jesus—it is either in you or it is not. A personal insult becomes an opportunity for a saint to reveal the incredible sweetness of the Lord Jesus.” He goes on to say in eloquence that, “It is not your duty to go the second mile, or to turn the other cheek, but Jesus said that if we are His disciples, we will always do these things. We will not say, ‘Oh well, I just can’t do any more, and I’ve been so misrepresented and misunderstood.’”

The call of these passages does not go out to those with specific spiritual gifts. The call is not to be listened to under the right circumstances. The call is not to be obeyed whenever it is convenient. More than duty, our service to God is both privilege and sacred trust, and in our service, we never cease to offer mercy, never cease to offer compassion, never cease to offer love. The call of the Christian then is to represent God’s love in this fallen world.

A Child’s Perspective

By Michelle Lim –

Some days it is difficult to accept the changes in our lives. We look around for someone to blame, or complain that the world is different. But really, change can also be a sign of growing. What used to feel right is suddenly not.

My son Micah is the most amazing child. I know, I’m mom, but he is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! He takes on life with tenacity, always living on the boundaries. No matter what happens, he embraces each moment.

One day when Micah was four years old, he taught me something so important about Godly perspective in life.

Micah is all arms and legs. I call him forty pounds of wonderful, because he is still so thin at age eight. Despite how thin he is, he grows at an amazing rate. Shoes are a six month change at best. One moment his shoes fit perfectly. The next, his toes are pushing through the leather.

On this sunny summer day we were headed to the park. My kids all had their shoes on except for Micah.

Micah crammed his feet into those shoes like a pro, but they were pinched tight. He looked up at me as seriously as possible and said, “Mom, my shoes have outgrown me.”

He still says that today when it is time for him to change shoes, or clothes because of another growth spurt. It could be a devastating ‘I’m getting too big for all of the things I love.’

Not for Micah.

For him it is all about those shoes not being ready to be part of the journey he is going on. He chooses to view life with a joyful perspective. All is well with him. It is the shoes that are having trouble.

Do we look at life with a Godly perspective? Or do we focus on the negative side of the things around us?

In 2 Corinthians Paul talks about keeping a Godly perspective when things may not be going our way. We aren’t to lose heart, because eternal glory outweighs it all.

Has your life outgrown you?

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NIV).

Life Pimples

By Jane Thornton –

The mirror confirmed my fears. I had a zit on my chin. Nasty and inflamed. But not yet rupturable. Which didn’t stop me from worrying at it, trying to make it disappear. The monstrosity had birthed itself just in time for the holidays—and, thus, pictures.

I first noticed the zit’s arrival in the car on our trip to my parents’ house. A little discomfort drew my questing fingers to my jaw. The spot reacted to my touch with nervy tenderness. I tried a discreet look in the visor mirror. I knew better than to draw the ruthless attention of my teenaged children. In the dim car light, I pretended to get a stray dust particle out of my eye while casting concerned glances at the lower half of my face.

I’m not sure what gave me away. Perhaps shielding my jaw line while craning backward to answer a simple question about when we’ll get there looked unnatural. Whatever, my family pounced. Did I say family? Yes, not just my children, but my adoring husband joined in the laughter disparaging my anxiety.

So I gave in and pleaded for reassurance that the blemish was not too obvious. Their snickers belied their wide-eyed, soothing words. As soon as we pulled into the driveway, I rushed through the greeting hugs and scuttled to the bathroom.

No comfort there. The blotch glared angrily, dominating my features. Vainly, I doctored. Time and healing would have to run their course. With sheepish self-awareness, I returned to the living room to re-embrace my folks.

Only to be met by ridicule.

My son and daughter each had big, red dots under their laughing mouths. Even my husband had taken a turn with the lipstick tube. His eyes gleamed with humor above his spot-enhanced chin. I screeched in ultimate betrayal when I took in my mother’s giggles over her own fake zit.

What could I do but turn a good sport, grin, and bear it—and, of course, take a picture to record their cruelty for posterity? However, I did experience an odd relief at their acknowledgement of my condition. No more hiding. Everyone had seen the sore and laughed and moved on. Why was it funny? Because they had all experienced the same thing before and could relate to my worries.

Could we do the same with our spiritual pimples? Instead of concealment and shame, could we recognize each other’s sins and flaws and deal with them openly? “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16 NIV).

No one would assume we were bragging about a skin blemish by admitting its presence. Everyone would know we hated it and planned to treat it vigorously. We might even get suggestions for effective remedies.

The analogy breaks down a bit at the mockery. There is room for shared amusement at our mutual imperfections, but none for derision. We don’t want to laugh at sin, but we can laugh with the joy of forgiveness and the ability to come clean and move forward, supported by our family who also claims God’s grace.

Comment prompt: Do you have a story of an awkward moment reclaimed by laughter?

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