There are so many movies out about people who have superpowers…

I think part of the intrigue of these movies (and the comic books they come from) is that we all WISH we had some sort of super-duper-special-thing that made us different, set apart, or “special.” We’d like to be able to fly, shoot lasers out our eyes, or have the strength to overcome any obstacle (just look at P90X to see how some are seeking after that one).

There is another stream of movies/books along the same line… the “magical” sort of books, ala Harry Potter and a host of others. They too have a very human character who is somehow given a super power that causes their ordinary life to take a turn toward adventure, mystery, and great accomplishments.

Our kids like these movies a TON (and we do too, admit it)…

There’s something about these types of movies that is incredibly appealing to young and old. We’ve probably seen “The Avengers” a handful of times as a family (with proper debriefing for follow-up).

So please understand, in this post I’m not lobbying for you to boycott these books or movies because they are “unbiblical” or occultic or whatever. I actually believe there can be a HUGE benefit to well-written fiction (whether it be in books or movies)… as this well-written article articulates quite well. That’s some of the motivation behind my own fictional endeavors.

In this post I’m going in a different direction… I want to ask you:

What is your Super Power?

I know it sounds like a trick question or cutesy way of getting into a more serious topic, but it’s not.

I’M SERIOUS. What is your super power?

If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, you have one… and I’m not talking about “spiritual gifts.” Those are important, but they actually flow FROM the super power I’m about to reveal to you (and your kids).

Enough delay… here’s what I’m talking about…

YOU (and me, as believers in Jesus Christ) had more happen to us at the moment of our salvation than our sins being forgiven.

WE were given a super power, the ONLY super power that matters… and here John calls it an “anointing” by the Holy One.

This is going to take a little bit of Old Testament un-packing, so bear with me…

Anointing in Old Testament Days

Back in Old Testament times the word “anoint” was used in two ways, and one was a symbol of the other:

First, We are told that the tabernacle/temple and everything in it was anointed (Exodus 30:26). We are also told that certain people (Kings, High Priests) were anointed (the example of the High Priest – Exodus 29:7).

This was a SYMBOLIC anointing… and symbols, well, they “symbolize” something else… something real. What was this anointing symbolizing? That these things/individuals were being set apart and/or empowered by God for a specific purpose.

That is the second, or true anointing of God that the first type of anointing symbolized.

ONE OTHER IMPORTANT POINT: When it came to the anointing of people In Old Testament days, the anointing was very narrow in scope, intended only for the duration of the person’s role as King or High Priest… and the true anointing/empowering of God could be removed by God. We see an indication of this twice in the Old Testament: 1) When Saul was removed from being King (1 Samuel 15:26-28) and in Psalm 51:11, when David feared that his sin would cause the LORD to remove his anointing (i.e. the Holy Spirit).

Notice the parallel, especially in Psalm 51:11… It is the Holy Spirit of God that IS the anointing of God.

Anointing in our day…

The new covenant, established by Jesus through his life, death, burial, and resurrection, brings a similar but better meaning to the word “anointing”… which takes us back to 1 John.

As believers in Jesus Christ, we have been anointed by the Holy One.

What does that mean? It means that the Holy Spirit of God, third Person of the Trinity, is on us, in us, and working through us.

HE is our super power… because of Jesus’ work on our behalf.

What does this mean for you and me?

• We never have a reason to say "it's too hard."
• There is no legitimate reason we should say "I can't do this."
• We have all the resources to face life that we will every need.
• There is no obstacle or circumstance that is too large or heavy for us.
• We are able to be the hands of God, in any situation - to bring His healing, His word, His touch, His blessing, His conviction, His power, His Person into the situation.

And we must always keep the REASON for all of this clearly in view or else we will slip into arrogance/pride.

NONE of this is because we are such cool/good people.

NONE of it is because God saw something in us worthy of giving us the incredible gift of His Spirit.

NONE of this is truly in or of us...

It's summed up in three simple, but powerful words... BECAUSE OF JESUS

Jesus IS our super Power!

How this truth can transform your family...

• You, as a parent, need to saturate YOURSELF in this truth.
  • Read your New Testament with a new hunger, looking for verses that talk about what Christ has done for and in YOU.
  • Don't let yourself respond to what you discover by saying, "Yes, but..." There is no "but" in this... there is only the truth of what God says He has done for you.
  • Ask the Spirit of God to teach you how these marvelous truths affect the way you think, the way you live, the way you talk, the way you feel, etc.
  • Begin living, by faith in what you're learning, in obedience to what God has shown you... this alone will dramatically transform your family.
• You need to begin talking with your kids about these truths.
  • Use the superhero movies like I did at the beginning of this post, and start talking with your kids about the reality of these things. Help them to see that Jesus has done something for them that is very REAL and very POWERFUL for everyday living.
  • Help them see how these truths speak to the reality of their IDENTITY... they are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). That means they are more than they think they are and more than they believe they are.
  • Encourage them to live out of who they are in Christ. Help them to evaluate circumstances, situations, and obstacles in light of this truth.

So, let me ask you again... what is YOUR super power?

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