If I Could Be a Superhero…

Last night, we caught a story on Inside Edition, or one of those types of shows, and I almost couldn’t believe it.  A guy who dresses up like a superhero and actually fights crime was arrested for spraying pepper spray at people while trying to break up a fight.  I am not kidding.  This is real.  I am serious.  Check out this story if you don’t believe me.

So it turns out there is a growing community of people that do this.  They fight crime as superheros.  There are “heros” and groups popping up all over the country.  They even have a website to help you keep up with them: Real Life Superheros.

Part of me think this is awesome.  Part of me thinks this is sad.  Part of me doesn’t know what to think.  And the last part of me is glad I did not know about this about ten years ago.  I think my roommate and I would have talked each other into forming a crime fighting duo.  I am barely kidding.  We were good at talking each other into stupid ideas.

I think these people are sincere.  I think they want to help.  I think they want to do good.  However, I also think they may be a bit delusional.  I think they are probably living out childhood fantasies.  I think they may just be trying to prove something to themselves.  And I do fear that one of them may get badly hurt or even killed while doing this.

Despite what I think, though, they are out there doing it.  They are dressing up, fighting crime, and, believe it or not, they are making a difference.  From what I read, some of these guys are really changing the areas that they “work in.”  They are helping people and reaching out to those less fortunate.  This is kind of cool.  It really is.

So, Mr. OneCupofJoe, what is the spiritual lesson?  I know you have one.

You are right, I do.  It is simple.  I need to be a superhero.  I do.

No, I don’t mean dressing up and fighting crime.  I am not making a rubberized suit and attaching gadgets to it.  I am not practicing marshal arts.  What I mean is that I need to get out there and make a difference.  I need to be fearless.  I need to fight for those less fortunate.

Throughout the Bible it is clear that God wants us to take up the cause of the poor, orphans, widows, and prisoners.  I do not do this enough.  I do not get out there and find ways to help.  I do not do enough for the sake of those who need justice.

The Spirit is working on me with this.  I am starting to see opportunities.  I am starting to feel conviction about how I spend my money and time.  I am seeing areas around me that I can step in.  I am seeing causes I can champion and work to make things “right” for people that are overlooked.  It is slow, but my heart is changing.

I may never chase bad guys through alleys, but I can get out there and fight.

What about you?  Do you want to be a “superhero” for the sake of those less fortunate?