Spiderman decided to quit being Spiderman. He was tired of fixing everyone else's problems. He just wanted to be a normal teenager, go to school, and date Mary Jane. So he threw away his uniform and left it up to someone else to fight crime-until Dr. Octopus kidnapped Mary Jane. Only Spiderman and his superhero power could help. So Spiderman did what superheros do. He jumped into action.
Peter and John were hardly superhero material. They had given up a simple fishing business and followed Jesus for three years. When Jesus asended to heaven after the resurrection, He promised to send God's power to help disciples be His witnesses. They probably didn't stay up late at night dreaming up their next miracle. But when the opportunity came, they did what super disciples do.
As Peter and John entered the temple for prayer, they approached a lame man who hundreds of people would have passed by every day. What would the average person do for the poor guy other than toss him a coin or two? Peter and John didn't even have loose change, but they gave him what they had-life change. They had the ability from God to make a huge difference.
God enpowers us to touch people's lives too. As we abide in Christ, the connection between God's Story and My story becomes stronger and stronger. Jesus gave us the example of the vineand the branches in John 15, the point of which is if we stick to Him, we will bear much fruit. On our own, we can't do anything.
You may be thinking that Peter and John were highly trained disciples, but you are just a quiet freshman or sophomore. What can you possibly do? Just like Peter and John you can meet needs with the abilities you have. The opportunities are as numerous as the students in your school. You do what Jesus would do every time that you...
explain an algebra fromula until your math-chanllenged friend finally gets it;
drive five miles out of your way to make sure someone gets to youth group;
sit at the other lunch table and talk to the new student in the school;
pray with a friend who is facing a tough situation;
Maybe these examples don't seem very superhero-like, but they are when someone does them for you. Just ask Garrett, a quiet freshman who wasn't sure where he fit in at all, until Ryan, one of the coolest seniors in the entire school, took an intrest in him. Not only did Ryan invite Garrett to youth group, he also picked him up every week to get him there. Ryan saw an opportunity, and his actions changed his life. Garrett heard all about God's story and decided to follow Jesus. Later, he became a leader in his school and positivelyimpacted many students.
Like Peter and John, Ryan was connected to God's Story and filled with his power. He took the initiative to connect his story to Garrett's story. He saw Garrett's need to be accepted and did what superheroes do-he accepted him.
Peter, John, Ryan, Spiderman, and you- all with special abilities to make a difference in their worlds. Think of friends who need you. Pray for opportunities to help kids out side your circle of friends. Spiderman just had to step up and be Spiderman. Are you ready to step up and be you?
