Looking for a Hero?

I confess. I’m a little out of the loop. I really need to do a better job keeping up with the culture. I’m certainly too young to become a fuddy-dud. I don’t know the whole scoop on Marvel buying the rights to all the superheroes, but I do know that there’s a renewed fascination with superheroes. And who doesn't love Captain America and Iron Man? And then to put the whole crew in one movie? The Conlees might not be hip, but we certainly enjoy watching a hero conquer evil.Who doesn’t want to be rescued? Who doesn’t want the bad guys to lose and the good guys to win? In reality, the battle of good versus evil started long before Marvel and long before movies. The selfishness of Satan and his unwillingness to be satisfied caused the Creator of the universe to write the ultimate script of triumph.When I was recently in Colossians 2:13-15, I was struck with how Paul described what God has done for us. Check out these phrases:

•  “… having forgiven us all our trespasses…”•  “… canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands.”•  Setting aside the debt by “nailing it to the cross.”•  “[Disarming] the rulers and authorities and [putting] them to open shame…”•  “… triumphing over them in Him.”

As you read those, what do you think? This is what your God has done for you and me. I can’t help but think that I constantly minimize both what God has already done for me and what God is capable of doing.Even as I type, I’m quick to want to jump to the “what God is capable of” part. I can list so many things that I need God to come in and take care of for me. But isn’t that what a spoiled child would do? We forget all that we’ve already received and focus on what we still want.In our home, I will occasionally say to one of my children, “You’re spoiled.” The reply is usually, “No, I’m blessed.” I think the difference lies in the attitude of the receiver. If you act like you deserve everything good that’s ever happened, you’re spoiled. If you’re grateful and aware of all that you’ve received, you’re blessed.[bctt tweet="The difference between being spoiled or blessed lies in the attitude of the receiver."]When it comes to your place as a child of God, are you acting spoiled or blessed? If you find yourself acting more like a spoiled brat, choose to do something different. If you don’t already have a gratitude list, prioritize 5 minutes right now to write down what you’re grateful for. (I said right now because you and I both know you won’t come back to it later today. So, set your timer… and go.)Earlier, in Colossians 2:6, Paul encouraged the believers in Colossae to abound in thanksgiving. That call is one that applies to us today. God is so much more than a super hero; He’s the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. However, so often we forget the power that He has. We must thank Him… and we still have the comfort of calling upon Him to continue to do the impossible to accomplish His purposes.When you get done with your 5 minutes of thanksgiving, go ahead and put out your greatest need. He knows it and He cares. If He can cancel our debt and put the rulers and authorities to open shame, He can make you marvel.