Time to move out of Smallville

Did you admire Superman when you were a kid? It's sort of difficult not to look up to one of the great superheroes of all time. For over 75 years the Man of Steel has captivated and thrilled fans young and old as he fights for truth, justice, and the American way.

But...it wasn't always that way. Before Clark Kent was Superman, he was Smallville. At least that's what Lois Lane considered him to be. And what started as a nickname has become a modern retelling of the Superman mythology now in its eighth season.

Viewers and critics alike seem to love the CW show "Smallville". More than just great effects and compelling storylines draw folks into the Clark Kent early years, though. I believe that there's just something about the idea of a person with superpowers gaining enough confidence and concern about the world around him to fulfil his destiny and become the hero that Metropolis so desperately needs.

Wouldn't it be great to have superpowers? Flying, lifting cars like they were a feather, and being bulletproof wouldn't be so bad, right?

And what would you do with your powers? As many people have stated - "with great power comes great responsibility".

Maybe you consider yourself "smallville". Just an ordinary person with no extraordinary abilities. But I have exciting news for you! God Himself has given you a 'superpower' called 'spiritual gifts' or 'spiritual abilities'. Here's how the Bible describes this concept:

Now, dear brothers and sisters, regarding your question about the special abilities the Spirit gives us. I don't want you to misunderstand this. A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other (1 Corinthians 12:1, 7).

This spiritual gift is a God-given ability that you didn't have before you trusted in Jesus Christ as your only hope of salvation. According to the Bible, at the moment of salvation a spiritual "superpower" was deposited into your life so you could help others and make a difference for eternity.

Not only that, but your spiritual gift is something God uses as a weapon in the fight against the forces of darkness.

I'm really not kidding here, check out what Jesus Christ said:

I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it (Matthew 16:18b).

Jesus states plainly that it is His plan and purpose to mobilise an army called the church to exchange blows with the 'powers of hell'.

So what does all this look like? Well, don't picture some freaky sci-fi scene that looks more like a scene from "Hellboy 2" than real life. Using your gift to fight evil really does look like real life. The 'powers of hell' is the reason behind poverty, injustice, racism, prejudice, violence, and most of all the spiritual blindness that ultimately lands people in hell forever.

And that's where we come in with our supernatural ability. We use our gifts to help build up the church so that the church can go out and conquer the enemy.

OK, so now you know you have this spiritual superpower, and like Superman, you need to discover which one you have so you can fulfil your destiny! Fortunately, you don't have to guess on this one. The Bible contains several lists of spiritual gifts (Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4) so you can read and pray through them, then get busy in the universal battle.

The bottom line is that you have a super ability and you have a super critical choice. There are many, many Christians who are distracted by their own little battles - so they sit themselves out of combat and let the powers of hell have victory in their corner of the world. Make the choice today to get out of spiritual "smallville" and join the fight.

In the words of Timo Cruz in the film Coach Carter:

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our dark that most frightens us. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people don't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine as children do. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others. Sir, I just wanna say thank you . . . You saved my life.

May you overcome your many fears and save many lives.

Head: At the moment of salvation, each Christian is given a supernatural ability to help others and build up the church so that the powers of hell can be defeated.

Heart: Feel like a superhero with superpowers, because in reality, you are.

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Lane Palmer serves as a writer for Dare 2 Share Ministries (D2S) in Arvada, Colorado, a ministry committed to energizing and equipping teenagers to know, live, share and own their faith in Jesus. For more information about D2S, please visit www.dare2share.org.