Everyday Superheroes
Blog By: Stacie Forest
If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
Super strength, flying, invisibility, super hearing, mind reading, or maybe even talking with animals? Who wouldn’t want to have powers that make you invincible?
Until we're hit with gamma rays, bitten by a radioactive spider, or acquire a glowing power ring, we likely won’t be getting our supersuit anytime soon. Reading comics or watching hero movies can make us feel a little weak, unless we start seeing ourselves differently; the way God sees us: as heroes whose superpower is in Him.
Parables were how Jesus introduced us to superheroes - a good Samaritan who rescued a man no one else would, and a shepherd who left the 99 on a quest to find one who was lost. He asked His followers to see the world differently and respond with courage and compassion.
Empathy and kindness are often mistaken for weakness. But in God’s Kingdom, Jesus asked us to see vulnerability as more powerful than invincibility, and quiet integrity more valuable than dominance.
Real heroes don’t wear capes (though I’ve always believed I could rock one). Superheroes wear lanyards and name tags; helmets, work boots, and orthopedic shoes. Sometimes they have baby spit-up on their shirt or unwashed hair. They may hold a pen, a syringe, or a hot tea.
Movie heroes fight the villains and overcome their nemesis with quick thinking and powers beyond those of mortal men. But my favorite moments are when the hero is about to lose, until their friend steps in. That sidekick reappears or the civilians cheer on the hero who was too weak to go alone anymore, inspired now to victory.
A community of support is their true strength. Having someone’s back is as important as getting the glory. A community can get you to a fortress of solitude or upgrade your armor. A community sees someone’s weakness and gives them strength.
No one can survive on their own. As Pastor Mingo said, “We aren’t called to be perfect, but to just simply be” - offering both our faithfulness and our failures; changing the world with kindness, even when we forget our tights.
What do our superhero powers look like?
• Super Strength - Hauling boxes for a family that’s moving.
• Flying - Showing up quickly when someone needs you.
• Invisibility - Quiet acts of service no one sees: mowing a yard, paying for someone’s meal, or leaving a note of encouragement.
• Super Hearing - Really listening when a friend is hurting.
• Mind Reading - Anticipating needs, like bringing dinner or cleaning someone's house.
• Talking with Animals - Seeing God’s creation: rescuing a squirrel or even feeding a stray.
It has been said that heroes and villains share the same back story - pain. The difference between them, though, is how they respond, and often who was there when that pain hit. A kind word, a listening ear, or a steady hand to pull them up can change someone’s story.
Don’t look up in the sky for a hero, just look in the mirror. A hero doesn’t just save lives. A hero gives others the strength to live theirs.
Hero Training Questions:
• Which “superpower” do you feel God has already given you to bless others: strength, listening, kindness, or something else?
• Who has stepped in as your “sidekick” during a tough time, and how can you be that kind of support for someone else?
• Where might God be inviting you to use small, invisible acts of kindness to make a heroic difference this week?
Find the acrostic to see which superhero Pastor Mingo taught about this week.
