Are you a Superman...if so, get ready!
Most everybody loves the Superman comic book story, and I particularly love the Superman movie made back in 1978 with Christopher Reeves. I was only 12 years old, and I can remember seeing this story on the big screen. It captivated my imagination and my heart. As I have become a man and as I have become a disciple of Christ, I have drawn so many spiritual parallels from this movie.
Clark Kent, a young man, one day discovers his true calling in life. He realizes that he is not from this world, and as such, he has powers and vision that are not from this world. He leaves his life of obscurity in the farmlands of Kansas and moves to the battlefield of the big city. However, before he goes into battle, he spends significant time with his Father from his true world, learning and preparing himself.
My favorite part of the movie is when he unveils himself and lets the world know he is Superman. He first rescues Lois Lane, and then he goes out all night, flying, scanning the horizon for people in need of rescue and for evil men in need of correction. It is a glorious night as he lives out the life for which he was sent to earth.
However, it is only now, that he has become an Influencer in this world, that he draws the attention of Lex Luthor. Lex reads about him in the newspaper, and suddenly, hatred and jealousy fill his heart. He then sets out to destroy Superman. It is only Lex Luthor who studies Superman to find his weaknesses and who will expose them if he can. Lex understands Superman's world and he knows his past, so he knows how to fight him. Thankfully, we all know that Superman wins the battle in the end.
All of this reminds me of the life of man of God. One day, God opens a man's eyes to the reality that he was made to do great things and to know that he has great powers at his disposal. He realizes he does not really belong to this world anymore. He is an alien and a stranger here; his citizenship is in Heaven. However, God has plans for him on this earth. When this man puts his faith and his power into action to help this world in need, he will draw the attention of his enemy. All of the sudden, the Devil begins to scheme at how he can take this man out. He will use the man's past against him if he can. He will try to discredit him with the public. He will try to force him into difficult decisions where there are no easy answers. He will even try to use spiritual weapons to fight this spiritual man. He is a formidable foe.
Every man of God needs to know this. He must be prepared for the battles by spending time with the Father. He must take up God's Word, which is his Sword of the Spirit, the only offensive weapon in the spiritual man's arsenal. He must realize that his battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the powers of this dark world and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. He must join forces with other men of God who understand the nature of the battle, for together, they will form an even mightier force. He must always remember that greater is the One who is in him than the one that is in the world. If God is for him, who can be against him?
If you are a man of God, you are a Superman! Now, go live the life you were meant to live.
Bryan Craig
Influencers Cabinet Member
