Are You a Man (or Woman) of Steel?

By Lane Palmer, Christian Post Guest Columnist Thursday, June 13, 2013

"What if a child dreamed of becoming something other than what society had intended? What if a child aspired to something greater?" (Jor El from Man of Steel)

This line is obviously referring to Superman, but what if this is the question that your Heavenly Father is asking of you right now?

Of course the Man of Steel has great reasons to dream of being something greater, to name a few:

Flight
X Ray vision
Super strength (because he is superman you know)
And the list goes on and on

So what would you say to someone so incredibly endowed with superhuman abilities if they simply chose to follow the self-centered and mediocre path that society so often intends?

I know what I would say…

"Are you serious??? You've been gifted with incredible abilities that can change the world on a daily basis! You can help save the perishing and give hope to the hopeless - but instead you squander your time and fritter away your capabilities…"

That's not the path that Superman chose, which is what makes him one of the most iconic superheroes of all time. We all (ahem) marvel at Clark Kent when he removes his amazing glasses (that make him look so radically different) and dons the suit and cape that made him a hero for 70 years.

I don't know about you, but I'm deeply challenged with the idea of becoming something other than what society intends. I want to take off the glasses that trap me into thinking that the American dream is the end all of a worthy existence.

I think the suit and cape for the Christ follower is found in realizing that we have superpowers. If we choose not to use them, then we too have squandered and frittered away a mind blowing opportunity to change the world!

I can take flight:

But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint (Isaiah 40:31).

No, I can't "leap tall buildings in a single bound" - but the Lord lifts me above life's circumstances and takes me to soaring heights where you see the freedom that comes with having your sins forgiven and your destiny secure.

I also have x-ray vision:

Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don't believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don't understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God (2 Corinthians 4:4).

Before I trusted in Jesus, I couldn't "see" the unfathomable grace that God offered me through the gospel. But now I have 20/20 spiritual vision that reveals the true nature of Jesus' death on the Cross and resurrection from the dead. Just like Superman can see through walls, I can see through the barriers of religion and good works that Satan has built around the lost.

Finally, I have super strength:

I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength (Philippians 4:12-13).

It's very cool to be "more powerful than a locomotive" on the big screen, but in the day to day grind of life here in the world of reality, I need strength that surpasses all that life throws at me. Jesus Christ gives us the secret of contentment and the ability to endure what crushes those who don't have His heavenly power at their disposal.

And the list of our superpowers goes on and on - but the question is - can you hear the voice of your Heavenly Father asking you to be something greater than you imagined? Society conspires to keep your feet on the ground, your eyes blinded to spiritual realities, and your strength rooted in your own abilities - but don't follow the song of this present darkness!

Superman never knew whether Jor-El was able to see that he'd become something great, but I know that my Father sees me every minute, and He cheers me on to change the world through His power as I live for THE Cause of Christ. He loves me no matter what, and that is a greater gift than any superhero has ever been given.

Men and Women of Steel…are you ready to save the world?

Lane Palmer serves as a writer for Dare 2 Share Ministries (D2S) in Arvada, Colorado, a ministry committed to energizing and equipping teenagers to know, live, share and own their faith in Jesus. For more information about D2S, please visit http://www.dare2share.org/.