You Are Not a Superhero

This is such an appropriate passage for Christmas time. As we enter into the month of December, now is when we begin to fill up our days with things like Christmas decorations, the purchasing of gifts, and party planning. There’s a flurry of activity that is forthcoming, or perhaps for you, it has already begun.

How can you and I apply Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:31-33, amidst all the hustle and bustle this time of year brings?

We can begin by asking ourselves some questions. Allow me to present to you some diagnostic questions you can ask yourself this Christmas season, in terms of how you spend your time and energy.

·            Does this activity that I am going to engage in, does it glorify God?

·            Will it advance the work of His kingdom?

·            Will it help others see the majesty and beauty of Christ?

·            Will it help me love and appreciate Jesus more?

If whatever it is you’re about to do, doesn’t do any of those things, you have to ask yourself, is it worth my time, energy, and effort? Could this be an unnecessary stressor in my life that should simply go away?

Sometimes we’re just doing too much...

Do you agree? If you do, let me remind you of a very helpful word. I’m sure you’ve heard it before, but maybe you don’t use it often enough. The word is – “No”. Try it sometime. It can really work wonders in reducing stress and anxiety levels.

You don’t use it all the time. You’re not like a toddler who first learns the word, and then proceeds to say no to everything. That’s not how you use it. Sometimes you say yes, but sometimes you say no. May God grant us the wisdom required to know when to use it, and when not to.

I think someone needs to hear this. You’re not a superhero. You’re not. Stop trying to save the day. You can’t do it all.

As the Outreach Director at Living Water, there’s a phrase that I use quite regularly. I tell people, “There is a savior, I’m not Him.” I tell people that they have me mistaken with Him. I can tell you about Him, but I’m not Him.

Feel free to borrow that phrase. Try using it; it’s very freeing. Saying that, and actually believing it, might just reduce some of the stress and anxiety in your life.

A Real Life Example

We have our annual Christmas Connection Outreach coming up very soon. This is when we collect new gifts and toys to distribute to families in need this Christmas.

It’s a great event! We get to celebrate the ultimate connection, the God-man Jesus Christ coming to earth to be the savior of the world. And through this outreach, we have a wonderful opportunity to connect others with God’s love and provision this Christmas season.

To do this, I ask people like you, for donations of gifts, or gift cards. The key word there is the word – ASK. I ask people if they can participate though making a contribution. I simply want you to be aware of the opportunity you have to help us be a blessing to our community – and perhaps you are in a financial position in which to participate.

However, here’s the reminder that I think you may need. A very acceptable answer to my request is – NO. If you see my email and think – “Man, money’s tight. How are we going to get all of our bills paid? And things are just so expensive now-a-days…”

Guess what? Your answer to my request is NO. I honestly mean that. I’m not worried. The Lord will provide exactly what we need. We’re going to have the exact number of toys the Lord wants us to have to minister to those in our community.

In conclusion, let me remind you again. You’re not a superhero, and neither am I. This Christmas season, let’s do what we can to serve Him and others, but remember we can only do so much. The good news is that we serve a God who can do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.

With that understanding, we can serve God with a grateful heart according to the means He has provided. That will keep our stress levels at a minimum, and our appreciation for what God has done in Christ at a maximum.