Your Origin Story

Managing your life successfully isn’t about controlling the people around you, the circumstances facing you, or the feelings in you. That’s Batman. He’s always been one of my favorites, which probably says something about my own thinking for much of my life. But let’s face it—Batman’s messed up. He is the epitome of control and focus, but uses fear to fight his own fears. His greatest enemies to that disciplined identity aren’t super–villains. Batman is undone by love, joy, and peace.

Look at the fears that have shaped your own identity. Fear of failure. Fear of loss. Fear of rejection. Fear of the unknown. Fear projected from people’s judgments and insecurities. Fear of your own past. Liars, every one. See it. All those fears only have power if you give it to them.

But here’s the crux. Don’t give in to fighting those fears in your own strength. The moment you do, that gives them as much power as your agreement with them. Instead of a timid heart, burying the talents God gave, your vigilantism will try to control everyone else’s. Even if you rely on religious systems as a superhero uniform to protect your true identity, your insecure ego will reveal itself faster than Tony Stark’s (yes, I know I mixed comic universes).

The Bible says Jesus is the truth, He is love itself, and there is no fear in His love. That’s how you fight. You displace lies with Him, with His presence. There is nothing more powerful you can do for yourself and everyone in your world than to hear, believe, and pursue the truth and love He is speaking to your identity and your circumstances. Managing life successfully is about growing in your awareness of who God wants to be for you, and your ability to steward those relationships, meet each circumstance, and thrive in your identity in Christ.

Take a few minutes to let God answer the question your exhausted-from-trying-to-fix-the-world soul has been asking. Take off the cape, and say, “Is there more to life than this?”

Breathe. Let your shoulders drop. Release your stress, frustration, anxiety, and expectations to Him as an offering. That’s seriously what He wants. He isn’t looking for you to perform perfectly, He wants you to give Him room to demonstrate His perfect love through you. Listen for His voice—how He sees you, how deep His love is for you. Listen to who He wants to be for you today, which is exactly what you need to know right now. Listen until you hear His pulse, an unceasing heartbeat for you to grow as a son or daughter who engages life powerfully and brilliantly from His presence. He wants to make you so secure in Him you’re able to release His love, grace, wisdom, healing, and power into anything you’re facing. You are indeed a superhero, but your origin story is who you are in Jesus Christ. All your powers come from His love, life, and light.

“You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light, for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth” (Ephesians 5:8 & 9).

“Let the Holy Spirit occupy your whole life. Any desire to do what is against God’s nature won’t have any room in you to grow. What will thrive in you is the fruit of the Spirit- love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:16 & 17, 22 & 23 paraphrase).