Superheroes.

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