Day 109 - Superman, sans cape
Scripture focus: The Sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught. The Sovereign Lord has opened my ears, and I have not been rebellious; I have not drawn back. Isaiah 50:4-5 NIV
When my husband was a kid, he loved to dress up as Superman. He looked pretty sharp as Clark Kent too. Two older brothers provided all the work "Superman" could handle. Unfortunately, his cute tights and large cape never seemed to be quite enough to subdue those two big brothers. Running out of the bathroom, armed with his super powers, the story goes that his brothers loved to put "Superman" in his proper place - at the bottom of the sibling food chain.
Having frustrated and infuriated little Superman, they'd encourage him to try again. Change back into Clark, then back into Superman, and this time, it'll work! You'll fly! You'll be faster than a speeding bullet! You'll subdue the evil villains! And oh, how he believed. He'd try again. And again, his brothers acted like the holders of kryptonite, beating back the efforts of Superman.
It was tiring, all that big believing. It was almost enough to make a kid give up and turn in his red cape.
"I'm convinced one of the reasons so many have given up on pursuing genuine spirituality is that they didn't know what to do with their desires and passions. No one every told them that they were placed there by God - that they were intended to be the fuel that would drive them to pursue their dreams and visions. Soul Cravings, Erwin McManus, entry 24, Destiny.
A red cape and tiny tights were no match for big brothers. But the dream of becoming one who fights back evil, and saves the world was real. We all have that dream planted in our hearts. But, like Pete, the fulfillment of that dream might require some tweaking.
I'm glad he is no longer dependent on tights and a cape to feel like a hero. That would be too creepy! The refinement of his big dreams required years and years of listening - and he's still a work in progress!
At the same time we must heed the warning that unrestrained passions, passions lacking a moral compass, will lead us to a life that is self-destructive and will hurt anyone who chooses to come near to us. Our greatest danger is living for whatever we can take and devour now and destroying our future in the process. Sometimes we find ourselves seething in anger because our desires cannot be satiated.We have to come to grips with the longing of our souls to become something that requires metamorphosis, which is why no matter what we become, it is never enough. Our souls always crave more. It's not because they're insatiable, but because we know there's more to be had." Soul Cravings, Erwin McManus, entry 24, Destiny.
What would happen if we stopped running around trying on new masks, new outfits, new ways to fulfill our cravings, and instead, trusted God enough to listen. Simply listen. Stop drawing back in frustration, and instead, settle in - listen to the voice of God as one who needs instruction - and trusts the teacher.
Recommended reading: Joshua 16 and 17 in the morning; Luke 19 and Psalm 87 in the evening
No comments:
Post a Comment