I always wanted to be Superman. I remember taking my allowance and walking the couple of blocks to downtown Silver Spring to buy the latest Superman comic. I would dream I could fly, and how handy that would be for me today. I wanted to have the strength and tools he had so much.
When they first started out ten years ago with Smallville, I loved the show, because it developed his growing sense of discovery about his abilities. He didn't know he had all those gifts until he discovered them by accident or something happened that led him to see he could do certain things in super ways, or super speed, or super strength. It was fun watching him discover what he could do and how that eventually led him to do what he does to "Save the World!" I'm really sorry it is finally going off the air. Fortunately over the years I've collected the DVD sets so I can watch them again.
What I love about being a pastor is helping followers of Jesus discover their gifts and abilities to find abundant life and share the love of Jesus. Trying to create opportunities for people to grow in their faith, to help them see that coming from the kingdom of God and living in the world under the SON of God we have abilities and gifts that will make a difference in this life and beyond. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would enable us to do incredible things, even more than he could do in the short time he was on earth. Imagine the way we could change our world if we could recognize the gifts we have and develop them so we could use them to help others.
There are a lot of connections between Smallville and our Christian life and I invite you to take seriously the development of your gifts for service and love in a community of faith. Clark learned, in the final episode, that he needed both his heritage and history, as well as an ability to lean into the unknown future. It is a combination that leads to being a hero. We too, need to know we must keep track of our heritage, we need to know the Bible, we need to know some church history, in order to see how we can help the world we live in become a better more God like place.
This Sunday we will have a visit from St. Paul, as he describes his final days and his efforts to share the love and knowledge of Jesus in his world. He couldn't break chains like Superman could, but he could use his chains to further the gospel with letter writing and encouragement and teaching others. Maybe you have some chains that keep you from doing some things, but I'll bet that there are ways God can use you even in your chains. Join us at Liberty Grove UMC in Burtonsville, MD on May 15 if you can.
May God continue to help you discover your gifts for ministry and service as you continue to stay in a pilgrimage journey of faith. Welcome to the travel.
Pastor Jeff
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