Two very separate things came together for today’s post.
First, for a long time now, I have noticed a tendency for my left shoulder to roll inward. My chiropractor chides me for this semi-hunched position and encourages me to improve my posture.
Second, last night we watched an old episode of the 1960’s TV show Batman.
This morning, it clicked. My rolled in shoulder reminded me of Adam West curling his body behind his cape. Superheroes often wear a cape and a mask. They hide their true identities. Their cloak shields them. Their mask disguises them.
Now my family has joked for a long time that I’m a lot like Helen Parr, also known as Elastigirl, from The Incredibles. And it’s true that some times I feel like the work I do as mom, wife, daughter, sister, friend pulls me in many different directions, stretches me, and makes incredible demands of me. There are times I’m rightfully amazed at what I have accomplished.
But sometimes we put on our superhero mask to hide who we really are. We try to wow others with our achievements, hoping maybe they won’t notice our woundedness. We attempt to distract them with our accomplishments, hoping maybe they’ll miss our shortcomings.
Today I realized I don’t want to be a superhero.
I want God to be my shield.
God alone has the power to both save and to keep me safe (Hebrews 7:25). He has done this by fighting my battles and defeating my enemies (Exodus 14:14).
My God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. He is my refuge, my savior, the one who saves me from violence.
2 Samuel 22:3
My true identity is my strength.
I don’t want to wear a mask. I know who I am in Christ and this empowers me to withstand my enemy’s attacks.
- I am God’s very own child (Romans 8:14).
- I am Christ’s friend (John 15:15).
- I am chosen by God (1 Peter 2:9).
- I am not guilty (Romans 3:24).
- I am free (Romans 6:7).
- I am a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).
- I am God’s masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10).
- I am loved (1 Thessalonians 1:4).
The truth is, I’m not really a superhero anyway. I can’t save the day. And if I perpetuate the myth that I can do it all, that I’ve got it all covered, and that I will always come through for you, I will let you down.
My power is really weakness. When I’m willing to leave behind the mask and declare this truth, trusting in God’s protection, there’s no limit to what God can do through me.