I remember accompanying some of my grandchildren to a Spiderman movie. There were several hundred youngsters sitting in awe of Spidey. Waiting for the movie to begin, they chattered excitedly about their favorite episode. Finally, the movie began. They followed every move of their hero with their complete attention, admiration and devotion. You could look at their faces and tell what was in their hearts: They wanted to be a superhero too, someday. But they don’t have to wait for heroes to make a difference.
One of the first lessons I learned as a baby Christian is that I could not save the world, but I could make a positive difference in the lives of a few individuals on this road through life. I might be able to help them find the Lord. Spend eternity in heaven. So, I witnessed to different people of different ages, many of whom did ask Jesus into their life. It was just one-on-one personal evangelism, usually prepped by prayer, but sometimes not, because there is always the element of surprise. Don’t wait for heroes to do it. You can do it with the power of the Spirit!
Often, these new converts came with needs; baby supplies, food for their pantry, escape from toxic relationships, job referrals and occasionally tough love. But this is all part of the mix. You can’t raise people up out of the muck without getting some dirt under your fingernails. There is a need to minister to new converts and that requires practical help and problem-solving as much as it does Scripture. It’s a commitment. As John Wimber would irreverently say “You catch ‘em, you clean ‘em!
Today, many young people dream about being a superhero: Captain America with his powerful shield. Star Lord with his jet boots. Black Panther with his enhanced senses. Iron Man with his ability to fly. Then there is Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Wolverine, Superman, Batman, and so on. Their special abilities are usually conferred on them by some event. The Flash was endowed with his powers when a lightning bolt showered him with chemicals. Spiderman received his special powers when he was bitten by a radioactive bug. We became imbued with the ability to be a superhero to someone when we came to faith, and we become anointed.
Weak Christians in some ways are more valuable to God than strong ones, because they know enough to stay out of the way. Our Lord said to Paul “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (II Corinthians 12:9.). Think about that for a minute–God’s power (in us) is perfected in our weakness. We don’t need to train, to develop our abs and biceps. God does it all. We need only to yield to Him.
The word for “power” that Paul uses is δύναμις or in our alphabet, dunamis. This is the word from which we get our word dynamite. It refers to an explosive and yet abiding power that in this case continues to develop in the believer who understands his or her own helplessness in a situation, and throws themself at the feet of Christ for the strength needed to prevail or overcome whatever the challenge might be. So, in this verse, ἀσθενείᾳ (asthenia or weakness, lacking strength or infirmity) is the direct opposite of dunamis.
In Exodus Chapter 3, Moses meets God for the first time and God explains that He intends to deliver the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. In Chapter 4, God explains to Moses what his role will be. But Moses balks. In verse 10, “Moses said to the Lord, ‘Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.’” Moses said to God in so many words that he would not win any debate contests because he could not speak well. Maybe he stuttered? To go to Pharoah, one of the most powerful people on the planet at the time and threaten him with misery likely terrified Moses. He might as well be climbing in the ring to box Josh Taylor or Teofimo Lopez. But God doesn’t buy it and replies “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say” (11-12.) Still, Moses is not convinced so God tells Moses that he can take his brother Aaron along for moral support. But God’s point—which apparently went right over Mose’s head—was that if God gave Moses a mouth, then surely He could put the right words in it for the occasion. To the Jews and to Christians alike, Moses is a superhero. Yet, the credit goes to God.
In I Corinthians 2:1 Paul reminds the Christians in Corinth of the occasion that thy first met. Paul says “I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling.” Paul was scared out of his wits, so much that his hands were shaking. Some of you who have given presentations or taught classes know what Paul is talking about. You get nervous. So, you have to ground your hands. But God is greater than our nerves. To Christians, Paul is a superhero. Yet, the credit goes to God.
We should not even think of taking credit when it is God who deserves it. Whatever talents and natural abilities we have, we get from Him. During the years my late wife battled cancer and heart disease, she was a hero to me, and God gave me the strength to stand by her to the very end.
We don’t have to wait for heroes to turn up in times of danger and despair. God can turn even the most unimpressive of us into a hero to someone, and sometimes you don’t have to look very far to find your biggest future fan. It could be your spouse, your child or your neighbor. Perhaps a co-worker. You can be a hero by making a difference in their life, and God will show you exactly what needs to be done.
Here is a wonderful song by Dennis DeYoung. It’s called “Don’t Wait for Heroes.”