the idea of the superhero has been a rich part of our cultural backdrop since before people were writing history down. cave paintings depict a coming together of worlds- great hunts involving great hunters. the timeless conflict in art and literature has been over whether it is more valuable, indeed more human, to depict that which is in the natural world or to depict that which could exist within the realm of the supernatural.
the monty python sketch Bicycle Repairman is sublime. in it we find a world of superheroes, all dressed like superman, living everyday lives through commonplace experiences: waiting patiently at the laundromat, taking the bus to the office, badly repairing potholes in the road, riding bicycles. yet when one particularly poor bicycle rider goes careening into a fence and wrecks his bike, none of his superpowers will save him.
he needs a new kind of hero- one who may not be able to fly or see through walls with x-ray vision, but who is gifted with deep insight into the principles governing how bikes work.
1 Corinthians 12.14-31 is the classic spiritual gifts passage, likening people and their respective giftings to basic body parts, reminding us that we are not to look down upon others because of their lack of expertise and giftedness in our areas of strength and blessing. however, upon closer look, there is a message at the beginning that is often overlooked...
Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.see, many of us are terribly good at missing the affirmation here. we think that because we don't play an instrument or pray well in public or possess the unique ability to motivate 13 year-olds to actually read their bibles, our role in the church is probably somehow secondary.
yet in the world of supermen, the humble servant diligently using his gifts is the hero… regular people have within themselves the capacity to be instrumental in the realization of God’s redemption dream. could it be that we are all unwittingly superheroic, having been entrusted with gifts and endowments granted by God’s grace and mercy, and equipped and empowered to employ these gifts in a life-changing work, that we would see with our own eyes the day of the Lord?
What are the characteristics of
He’s weak… he’s unsure of himself… he’s a coward.
(Quentin Tarantino)
contemporary christian recording artist michael w. smith put the proverbial question of existence into words and music, effectively deconstructing the loaded "why am i here?" question into something so familiar to so many that it became a hit crossover single on secular radio in the early 90's...
The wind is moving but I am standing still
A life of pages waiting to be filled
A heart that's hopeful- a head that's full of dreams
But this becoming is harder than it seems
Feels like I’m looking for a reason
Roaming through the night to find my place in this world
My place in this world
Not a lot to lean on
I need your light to help me find my place in this world
My place in this world
If there are millions down on their knees
Among the many, can you still hear me
Hear me asking where do I belong
Is there a vision that I can call my own
Show me… (Michael W Smith)
