IF YOU DON’T BELIEVE YOU HAVE SUPERPOWERS — READ THIS
‘“My old identity has been co-crucified with Messiah and no longer lives; for the nails of his cross crucified me with him . And now the essence of this new life is no longer mine, for the Anointed One lives his life through me — we live in union as one ! My new life is empowered by the faith of the Son of God who loves me so much that he gave himself for me, and dispenses his life into mine!’ Galatians 2:20
If you ever needed a verse or a thought to feel like a “superhero”, THIS is the one.
Growing up in church, as I have, you hear this verse A LOT (cue up 21 Savage — A Lot right here). When you’re young — it doesn’t mean too much. When you’re older — you probably still don’t understand how it actually works.
So, how does it work all this Jesus empowered, new life mumbo jumbo?
If you are into comics or superheroes, it’s easier to understand. For me, it’s like Iron Man. During your normal day, you’re Tony Stark. You mind your business, go to work and maybe start a family one day. Overall, you’re a good person, with some quirks, bad decisions and attitude.
However, there comes a time when you need Iron Man. Situations arise around you and against you. Stuff like, losing your job, marriage problems, drug or alcohol abuse, sex addiction or toxic relationships. Yah, the real 💩 y stuff.
Stuff you can’t control. Habits that are so ingrained into your soul — you can’t stop. Thoughts in your mind that will not leave. They seem to be ever present, growing and taking over EVERYTHING. It seems like your life is totally f’d up. And, everytime you try to climb out, you sink further into it.
That’s when this verse makes a bit of sense. That’s when you need to switch from the cool guy Tony Stark into helping to save your own world — then the world of others.
So, let me tell you how I climbed out? How did I switch on my superpowers? I guess, very similar to what Lin Manuel Miranda has to say about it.
Making words rhyme for a living is one of the great joys of my life… That’s a superpower I’ve been very conscious of developing. I started at the same level as everybody else, and then I just listened to more music and talked to myself until it was an actual superpower I could pull out on special occasions. — Lin-Manuel Miranda
When my life was REALLY turned upside down was when I first started to REMEMBER this verse. I remember sitting in church, still awake from the debauchery the night before. The pastor asked if anyone would like to “start new and give their life to Christ”. He asked if everyone would repeat this prayer.
I understood the concept of repeating a prayer but I didn’t quite understand how a prayers was going to give me a “new life”. Seemed too easy, especially after all the craziness from the night before and all the nights before that. It was like a “get out of jail card” from Monopoly.
However, I decided to pray the prayer. Then after, I started working out WHAT Christ living in me should look like.
Galatians 2:20 is really just a road map to success. It basically gives you the thought that Christ CAN live in you. That yes, you can become the best version of yourself.
It’s a daily practice and an hourly reminder of WHO you really are. This practice is how you develop your own superpowers. These gifts that God has given you.
Maybe you’ve hidden them deep down? Maybe you’re afraid of the work it will take to develop them. Maybe it seems impossible. I don’t know the self talk you have about stuff like this.
However, if you have superpowers — why the f would you let them die? Why would Tony Stark just be a physicist? He has all the tools for greatness but if he never applied them for good — what good are they?
I came to realize that I had more to offer this world than just making things that blow up. — Tony Stark
And that’s what Paul is writing about his faith in Galatians. It comes back to our trust in God (aka, our faith). Do we believe that our lives can be transformed?
If you do — your superpower awaits. And, your superpower, is really WHY God created you for this Earth. You are THAT GOOD.
So, put away the trashy lifestyle and friends. Put away the bad habits that suck you back in to an average life. Attach yourself to GOOD things, GOOD people and a GOOD church.
You CAN do it — I’ll be waiting here. Look forward to hearing you share your results.
Let’s pray:
Jesus, I need to believe that my life can change. Help me to believe that I have superpowers. Show me that you like me. Show me that you are for me. Open my eyes where they have been shut to the good. Bring good people around me. I want my superpower to shine for you. You get the glory. Amen.
