Superpowers

If you could have any superpower, which one would you choose? Flying? Laser-vision? Invisibility? Or would you choose a more sophisticated ability:

Going back in time to fix your mistakes?

Making everyone around you happy?

Being in two places at once?

I would choose a super-computer for a brain. I would love to be able to predict all the possible outcomes for a given situation, factor in all the variables, and then choose the course of action that will produce the most desirable results.

In other words, I want to control the future.

Just like the person who wants to time-travel wants to control the past. And the person who wants to make everyone happy wants to control others’ opinions. And the person who wants to be in two places at once wants to control time and space.

We want more time, more presence, more knowledge, more abilities, more talents, more influence, more power over our own lives.

We want to be limitless.

We want to be God.

Contrast this with God’s description of us:

“[…] apart from [Jesus] you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)

“With man it is impossible […]” (Mark 10:27)

“Not that we are sufficient in ourselves for anything […]” (2 Corinthians 3:5)

“What is man that you are mindful of him?” (Psalm 8:4)

“You are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.” (James 4:14)

“And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” (Luke 12:25)

Do you see a pattern here? We are not enough. We cannot do it (whatever “it” is).

And we’re not supposed to. We are utterly dependent creatures who need God’s presence at every moment of our lives.

While this truth is deeply convicting, it’s also a great relief. Do we have a responsibility to follow Jesus in our everyday life? Yes! But do we have the responsibility of making sure every aspect of our lives turns out perfectly? No!

You are not God. You are not limitless. So don’t beat yourself up over your own human imperfections and limitations. Instead, draw near to the One who is limitless. Let Him shower you with His grace. Listen to His call to specific, bite-sized tasks rather than taking on all the burdens of the world.

You don’t need superpowers, because no one is asking you to be a superhero.

You just need Jesus. And He is asking you to come.

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28, ESV)