Ephesians 4:7-16 1 Corinthians 12:1-12 Isaiah 11:1-3
There are two questions we often get asked as a kid:
“What do you want to be when you grow up?” and
“If you could have any superpower, what would it be?”
The job that we wanted to have as a kid may not be the same as what we want to do with our lives now. In the same way, we might respond to that superpower question differently than what we chose as children. This is because that by the time we grow up, we’re more aware of our talents and our skills as well as things we need to improve on.
It’s true that some careers and vocations seem a lot cooler or more glamorous than others. But today’s passages remind us that it takes all kinds to make the world a better place. One reason that there are million different kinds of superheroes in the Marvel and DC Universes is that each superhero meets a certain need that the other superheroes can’t. In the current lineup of shows based on the DC Comics, Arrow appeals to people who long for a light to shine in their dark lives. The main character of Arrow fights to make his hometown of Star City a better place, in spite of the corruption that has snaked its way into the hearts of most of the people. Similarly, heroes such as Daredevil in the Marvel universe also fight against corruption.
In contrast, there are more idealistic superheroes such as The Flash and Supergirl. In the current Flash series shown on the CW, the titular hero often works together with his friends to solve problems dealing with whatever the monster of the week happens to be. CBS’s Supergirl doesn’t just save the day by flying around and using her super strength or laser vision. Her real powers are her compassion for humanity, her empathy for those in need, and willingness to believe in the best in people.
So how can we be heroes? We may not have superpowers, but we were given gifts from God. Traditionally, they are called the gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. Living a Christ-filled life also gives us the fruits of the Holy Spirit: charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, and chastity. All of these can be our superpowers. We may not be able to master all of these traits at once, but through spending time in prayer and discernment, God will reveal to us which talents he wants us to hone.
I hope that you take some time today to ask God to help you know your own special superpower and that you glorify God through your gift.
Study Questions:
What are some gifts, talents, or skills that you or others have considered to be a kind of “superpower?”
- How do you think God works through your gifts?
