I love comic book movies. I watch them all the time, and not for the reason you think. I watch them because I am fascinated by the villains.
Thanos, The Joker, Magneto, Lex Luthor, etc. They are motivated to fight superheroes and society with all intentions of succeeding.
The Villain
What is interesting is they honestly believe their plan will work, and failing is not an option. My favorite type of villain are the evil scientist. I wish I had the kind of funding that they get. Seriously, where are they getting this money? Do they publish scientific papers, or do they just turn people into city-destroying lizards, and just call it a day? Do they have to get their research peer-reviewed? Who is paying for their research? Can I get that email address? I even googled evil science grants and the results were not satisfying.
What would you do?
I am probably in the majority of Christians that says “God if you just give me more money, or more resources, I could do so much for you“. Or maybe you have said, “If I didn’t have to work a regular job I would have so much more time to devote to the ministry“. But ask yourself honestly “What would you do for God if you knew you couldn’t fail?”
The crazy thing is that God wants you to put yourself out there and do that exact thing you are thinking about. And the most shocking thing is that usually you already have all you need to do the job effectively (see the parable of 5 loaves and 2 fish John 6: 1-14). To get extraordinary results you have to have extraordinary faith and actions.
I once heard a pastor say, “If you do what you’ve always done, you will get what you’ve always gotten.” I will give you insight as to how my mind works. I will have a conversation with God that goes something like this, “God, I know you are directing me to teach kids about you (which I do NOT want to do). Send me a sign that this is your will.”
The very next day at church the pastor pleads for anyone to help with the middle school kids. There you go, Gods’ sign hit me square right on my face. My response is, “Ok, God I know this is the sign that I asked for but please send me another sign so I know the first sign was from you“. I mean c’mon have you met any middle school kids recently? Are you sure? I had to change my mindset and go into this asking, “What would I do for these kids if I knew I couldn’t fail?”
Sometimes, God doesn’t use a small voice. Sometimes he uses a left-right combo as he did with Paul on the road to Damascus. I didn’t want to do what I had always done and make excuses. Or think that someone else who loves children will do it. I wanted extraordinary results, so I took extraordinary steps and leaned on extraordinary faith to do what God told me to do.
Lean into God
So, I decided to teach kids. It’s hard. I want to quit, and I fail at it sometimes. I walk out of that room and think “Well, they didn’t learn anything today cause all I did was organize chaos“. That’s the thing, you might not see results immediately or even eventually.
I pray that one day when they are older with kids and spouses that something I said in middle school small group pops in their head, and they can’t remember where they heard this but somehow it helps them to make the right decision.
If God be for us who can be against us….right? Every day I wake up I ask myself, “What would I do for God if I knew I couldn’t fail?” And with the gusto of a comic book villain (except I imagine I am using my powers for good), I go out and I do that thing. With God on my side, I keep trying cause He won’t let me fail in the end.
Prescott Williamson is a Bible-believing Christian. He is a husband, a father, and someone who believes that there is a little humor to be found in whatever situation God sends your way. He was born in the small islands of the Bahamas but now lives in the Suburbs of Fort Worth Texas, which is basically the same thing. He enjoys TV, reading, blogging and serving in his church (especially on the days they serve donuts). You can see what I have been thinking about lately on my blog www.prescottascoolbreeze.com.
amen, we think we are too small, too poor, too incapable of anything. And sometimes I hear words of Christians and non-Christians ‘that ha, like God would use you! You’ve got nuthin!’ So I turn away in prayer. Our most effective first thing to do, in asking and following up. Now, I am indeed poor. Every now and again I can give a pittance but that’s few and far-between. I don’t walk through Africa, being a medical missionary like I once wanted to be doing. I can’t even translate Bibles, or write decent letters. BUT, I can share my faith and what wisdom God gives me as I check in with trusted pastors, commentaries, and godly men to tell me where I am off and where I got it right. Thus, I share on social media. And I pray. Also pray for those on social media in need. This may or may not be a ministry but it is part of the calling I feel. I also write Christian fiction directed toward non-Christians so I am not preaching to the choir or too syrupy-sweet. Also I believe is a calling. Patience for publication is, however, more difficult. Great post, thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much for reading. It’s so tough to step out and do what it is that God wants us to do for him. But when we do it is so satisfying and rewarding.