I remember sometime during seventh grade, I was introduced
by a good friend to the Percy Jackson book series. The moment I flipped open
that metallic silver cover, I was hooked. (For those of you who have not
indulged in any of Rick Riordan’s writings, I highly recommend all of it.) From
then on, I read everything science fiction and fantasy related that I could get
my hands on. Devouring everything from medieval fantasy to space adventure
novels gave my highly overactive imagination something to play with.
In middle school, I became fascinated
with the idea of being a hero. In almost all of the books I read, the
protagonist started out as an average kid (sometimes even a below-average kid)
and, through a series of impractical and wonderful events, they would discover
their true identity- that they were secretly related to ancient Greek deities,
for example. And naturally, these young, unlikely heroes wouldn’t be anything
without an awesome tool, ability, or power. Some boasted magical skills, or
maybe an enchanted sword or flying horse made the list.
All of these heroes shared certain
character traits that always stood out to me. At the beginning of the story,
they were unsure of themselves. They were thrown into a violently unfamiliar
situation (and sometimes an unfamiliar world), but soon enough, often through
the wise counsel of others, as well as simple practical experience, they truly
came into themselves. They grew in confidence, and their skills were honed and
enhanced until these seemingly weak, average kids became a true force to be
reckoned with.
I know I wasn’t alone in my love
for these guys. Everything from Disney movies to fantasy novels have captured
the attention of kids around the globe for a very long time. Unfortunately,
despite my fondest desires, heroes (in the magical, fantastic sense of the word)
simply don’t exist. I think, however, that kids today could benefit from a few
more real-life stories. We don’t need a superpower to be used by the One who
made us.
You
are strong.
You
are talented.
You
are enough.
These are the things that kids need
to hear. Because when we’re trained to look for fulfillment in worldly things,
even as innocent as they may seem, these habits often aren’t broken as we grow
older. It becomes easier and easier to raise a generation of unfulfilled,
under-confident young people who expect their sports victories, good grades,
and relationships to be enough to sustain them.
And you know what? Something on
that list is always going to fall short. I’ll give you a hint- it’s you. With
as much emphasis as we often put on our successes, more often than not, they
won’t fulfill our wildest dreams. Life isn’t perfect, but we love and serve a
God who is.
So yeah, maybe I still want to be a
superhero. Even though I don’t have a flying horse to ride into battle or a
magic sword made for slicing up monsters, I’ve got one thing in common with my
favorite heroes. I know who I am. I’m confident in the abilities that I was given,
and I’m learning to use my gifts for the advancement of the greater glory of my
King.
So bring it on, life. I may not
look like a whole lot, but if my cause is the cause of the Lord, I can’t fail.
One of my favorite Bible heroines, Esther, heard it this way:
“…Perhaps
you were born for such a time as this.”
-Esther 4:14
The way I read it, that means
today. Right now. Not tomorrow, not when I get off Facebook, not after I
graduate high school. You’re looking for your purpose? Well, here it is. Serve
your God, and you won’t be disappointed with where He leads you.
Until next time,
Brooklyn
