Different doesn't necessarily mean bad, sometimes different means different. And just because someone stands out, doesn't mean they are outstanding. Yet in history, both real and fictional, people who are different make for more exciting stories. And despite their exceptional talents, life can be harder for them than so called normal folks. Normal experiences for us can be unavailable to them.
Take Clark Kent for instance. With talents and abilities far beyond those of mortal men. And watch him in his teenage years. As all his friends are noticing the changes in girls, he has always been able to look through their clothes, and has a better understanding of why God clothed us-to protect us from how some look naked. No need to check out the girls, he already has, and is bored by now. Lust was no big deal to him, no one had to sneak him a girlie magazine, his version was live. Why even bother to wrap his birthday present-all that fun of guessing was gone too. Picture him wanting to play baseball, but not being able to. Who could catch his fastball, or his change-up for that matter? Stolen bases would be boring. No one would run against him in track, forget wrestling, judo, or karate. Golf-sorry Tiger. Who could return his serve in tennis? And he was good from any distance for a field goal, except who could tackle him. Just throw it up, he'll catch it. When others were enjoying team mates and competition, he couldn't even participate, due to his exceptional skills.
And when his older friends got into motorcycles-that would go the ton, he feigned interest. As much fun as motorcycles looked, and sounded, he could fly. No challenge, man made or other, outside of Kryptonite could stop him. Which left him with no challenges at all, except having to put up with the likes of Jimmy Olson, Lois, and Perry White. Criminals-boring.
Asteroids rushing towards earth, boring. Need an x-ray, see if your insurance covers him. All that ability, and no peer group worthy of him. So he hides behind Superman, in his suit, and has to have a dual identity. Just so others would play with him. Poor guy, can't even go to the beach without someone wanting to have him rescue them. Ten foot waves, he rides them, easy. And without a board! And even the great whites throw him back.
Asteroids rushing towards earth, boring. Need an x-ray, see if your insurance covers him. All that ability, and no peer group worthy of him. So he hides behind Superman, in his suit, and has to have a dual identity. Just so others would play with him. Poor guy, can't even go to the beach without someone wanting to have him rescue them. Ten foot waves, he rides them, easy. And without a board! And even the great whites throw him back.
Maybe he could play guitar, but not even Dennis Agajanian or Clapton could keep up with his riffs. He definitely has a good beat, but is tough to dance to. And in all his superior talents, he would be bored, and eventually lose interest. Both to his loss, and ours. Do you think he ever wanted to be just normal ,like any other kid?
Clark Kent, a lonely man in a normal world.
Joe and Mary's kid was also unique. The perfect son, perfect student, perfect brother, and perfect friend-he could do no wrong. He would never cheat, when he said he didn't do it, you knew he didn't because he never lied, and imagine being his little brother-they always knew you were guilty. He never got sick, so he never missed a day at work. Didn't need health insurance. You never went hungry when you were with him. How's the fishing, just ask where they are biting today. And like Superman, he had talents far beyond those of mortal men. But where Clark would someday face mortality, he faced eternity. If he lost his hearing,would it still be better than ours? Superman could catch criminals, only Jesus could offer them forgiveness. And yet, despite his obvious superiority, both physical, intellectual, and spiritual-they called "crucify Him!" He was too different. For he was truly God and truly man. A combination that no comic strip would allow. And no comic strip could duplicate. God even calls him unique-His only, begotten son.
Your chance of ever meeting Superman are nil-he is make believe. But fun to believe in. You can know all about Superman, but never know him. Then there is Jesus. 2000 years after his crucifixion, He still lives. And you can know Him far beyond any TV or magazine article. You can not only know about him, but know Him! And he doesn't want fans, he will call you brother, and friend. A true hero by any standards.
But yet so many choose not to believe. And I wonder, we can even believe the stories we were told growing up, who say he isn't real, but that Santa and the Easter Bunny are-when we all know they aren't. Why do we easily go with a lie, when the truth is so readily available?
Break out of normalcy today, and trust someone immortal. A hero, but one who stands closer. The only one worthy of worship, who stands alone when it comes to Super Heroes, and their performances. And while others are legends-He is truth for right now.
He paid the price of fame in humility. Don't you think he deserves a chance in your heart?
Truth, justice, and the American way!
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com
