Monday, August 28, 2006
Lessons from Spiderman
With great power comes great responsiblity. Does this line sound familiar? Well, of course it's taken out of the Spiderman movie, where else did you hear it?
Okay, so I watched Spider Man a few days ago when it was aired on Astro. When I was supposed to be finishing Organic Chemistry. But compare lifeless Organic Chemistry with a spectacular action-packed movie (alright, maybe not so spectacular and action-packed all through, but still, it's a means of entertainment), what do you think I'd choose in that moment of weakness? I did return to my Chem between advertisments though.
The good thing is, I learnt something at the end of the movie, which is written up there as the title. The words first uttered by Peter Parker's Uncle Ben that turned Spider Man into the superhero he was. Having power is a great thing. But power comes with responsiblity. It's not only for us to enjoy and use. If you're good enough to own some power, you must be big enough to take up the responsiblity that goes with it as well.
As Christians, what kind of power do we have? The power to live a victorious life. The power to call upon God's name through prayer. The power of God, because when God is with us, nothing can be against us. God also gave us the power to bind and loosen things both on Heaven and Earth. What wonderful power, better than any superhero's!
The next question is, how could we use our power? Spidey first used his new-found power in the wrestling ring to earn a car for the girl of his dreams. How about us? Do we use the power we have to live out the life we desire? A life where all is smooth perhaps, when prayer is just a call away? Where everything happens just as we want it? Do we merely use the power of our new found salvation to enjoy the fellowship and love of our church-mates?
It's not wrong to use our power that way. In fact, this is one of the reasons why people find it attractive to become Christians. They might have seen the fellowship between us. Or they want a quick solution out of their problems when there's no one to turn to. But when things turn sour, just as when Spidey was cheated out of his rightful pay in the end which he risked his neck for, they don't use that power anymore. Spidey let the robber run off free. And he paid it with his uncle's life.
Luckily for Spidey and everyone in the neighbourhood, he soon came to figure out the new life he needed to live as someone with supernatural powers. That was when he really lived out his mission, his calling to the fullest. Imagine if Spiderman was never bitten by the spider, if he was still plain Peter Parker, quiet and untransformed. He might be able to lead a peaceful life away from the dangers and risks of a super hero’s, but this will result in the neighbourhood being terrorised by the Green Goblin. Many lives would have been lost. What if a Christian is saved, but he hides in his shell, refusing to accomplish the mission Jesus has given to us – saving lost souls? This might save him from a lot of rejection, disappointment and hard work, but the consequence is, souls are lost. And remember that God will account to us for that.
The last thing I like about Spiderman is his humility. When asked the question ‘who are you’ (personally I wonder why you bother to ask that to someone wearing a mask, doesn’t that mean that he doesn’t want his identity found out?), he answers, “ I’m just your friendly neighbourhood spiderman!” He wanted his image to be friendly and neighbourly, not a superhero high above to be viewed in awe and respect, but just ‘someone else in the neighbourhood’ who happens to pass by in your time of need. Christians, we need to learn that too! Be down-to-earth when you’re with non-believers. Don’t use to much ‘holy phrases’ that they do not understand among them, they might feel you’re intimidating them. Mix with them. Be one of them, though you might not necessarily share their values. Be there for them. View them, not as part of your mission, but as friends, friends you love and friends whom you want to share the best treasures in your life with.
Brothers and sisters, superheros do exist. They live in normal people like Peter Parker, you, and me, but in times of trials and need, they emerge strong and comforting, like light in the dark, like salt on earth. Let us learn to be one of them, and at the same time, carry out the ultimate mission Jesus has commanded us so as to fulfill one of the purposes of our life: to go and preach the Gospel to the lost. Remember: with great power comes great responsibility.
