I remember when the movie Superman Returns came out. It was awesome! As I watched it, I couldn’t help but ponder on one particular scene of the movie: Superman was stabbed with a jagged piece of kryptonite by the evil villain, Lex Luther. And as we all know, kryptonite zaps Superman’s powers, which then allowed Lex Luther to beat him up and left him for dead in the cold, turbulent ocean. Fortunately, Superman’s secret admirer, Lois Lane, and her fiancée caught a glimpse of Superman sinking into the depths from a small airplane above. They managed to land the plane and dive in after Superman to save his life. By this time, Superman’s strength and energy were completely depleted. While flying back to get Superman medical attention, Lois Lane noticed the kryptonite lodged in his back, and without hesitation, she removed it. It was at this moment a remarkable event took place. Superman said, “I must leave.” He then opened the door of the plane and fell out into the thick clouds. He used his last bit of strength to fly up through the storm into the upper atmosphere. As the rays of sun beamed down on him, he was able to regain his strength and energy! He was made whole!
As Christians, we can learn a lot from this scene. Just as Superman had to get into the presence of the sun to gain his strength and energy, we need to get into the presence of the Son to gain our strength for everyday life. It is interesting that Jesus is called the Bread of Life and Living Water in the scriptures. These two names give reference to both food and water, which are essential for all living beings. Without these two basic elements, we will die in a very short amount of time. Well, the same is true spiritually. If we are not spending adequate time with God, then, over time, our energy and stamina to face the issues of life will be depleted and we will inevitably lose discernment on how best to navigate difficulties, fulfill our purpose and the wisdom to make good choices. The Bible says,
“I am the Vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15.5 NAS).
The word abide implies to stay connected to and dependent upon Christ in close fellowship. This happens when we spend regular quality time with Him reading the Bible and praying. Just as fruit develops when it remains on the vine, so our lives develop as we remain in close fellowship with God.
The Bible also indicates in John 1:8-9 that Jesus is the Light of the World. Light in this passage represents truth. One interesting characteristic of light is that it illuminates things. If a person happens to be in a dark room, it is difficult or nearly impossible for him to navigate through the space without bumping into something. If the person is not careful, he could really get hurt. Having the lights on exposes all the potential danger spots and helps the person to maneuver around the obstacles to his desired location.
In the same way, Jesus is our Light and He guides us toward our purpose and destiny. His desire is to lead us down a road that will fulfill us completely and leave us standing in awe of the plan He has marked out for us. Will it be challenging? Will it be sometimes scary? The answer is yes. But as we learn to trust Him and see His faithfulness in our lives, we can rest assured that He has good things in store for us. The problem comes when we stop trusting Him to guide us or include Him in our decision making process.
Do you find yourself in the midst of a great storm in life and don’t know where to turn? Do you have to make a decision that will ultimately affect your future? Are you trying to decide if the person you are dating is the right person for you? Or maybe you keep struggling with the same sin over and over again without victory? I want to encourage you to begin spending consistent quality time with God. Remember, He is the Light of the world, the Beginning and the End, the Spirit of Truth, our source of strength and power! He is our Daily Bread and Living Water. He knows exactly what you need in your life and can help you steer clear of pitfalls and costly mistakes. He can even help you overcome the struggles you are facing, picking you back up each time you fall down. He is your best encourager and the perfect coach. He is full of mercy and grace when every other voice is condemning you. As God begins to prick at your heart or shines His light on a certain thing you are facing, be quick to obey Him. Maybe it is unforgiveness toward someone and God is asking you to forgive that person? Learn to obey God quickly. It might be hard, but as we sit in the presence of the Son, He will give us the strength, courage, insight and wisdom we need to face any challenge, obstacle or storm victoriously. You can do it. You can live a great, meaningful life! Just remember, get in the presence of the Son.
