Sorry I haven’t blogged in a while. Life has been going really well here. Though it’s peaceful here and not a lot happens I really enjoy it. It allows for good quiet times and lots of playing games and reading. The week before last I was still doing ministry with Will along with team Selah at their care point. Really really enjoyed that. Will and I even got to do a teaching for the kids on Easter. This upcoming week I will be working alongside another girl team (super excited to continue to get to work alongside new teams). Last week we (as a squad) had the awesome opportunity to go to Durban, a beach town in South Africa. While I was there I got to watch Avengers: Endgame! Though such a great passion in the Avengers may seem petty and completely worldly I want to draw some attention to how it can set my sight on things of eternal significance. (Don’t worry; no spoilers here.)
THE PASSION
I have grown up loving the Avengers. I can vaguely remember a time before I loved the Avengers. I remember in 2012 watching Avengers for the first time at the Kuhns. Since then my love for them has only grown. The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) draws me in because of how it portrays so imaginatively and awesomely the battle between good and evil, light and dark. It showcases extraordinary individuals sacrificing much to protect those weaker than themselves.
This last year leading up to Endgame has been full of anticipation. It is the final piece in what Marvel has been building towards for the past 11 years with over 20 movies. So much hype as I’ve talked with my teammates about it. So much wondering and longing to see the ending. A longing that mirrors the longing to find and see the LORD and to know what will happen when His Kingdom comes. When He comes it will be the end, but also a beginning full of new and glorious wonders.
People talked and laughed as Joe, Nick, Jordy, and I were waiting in our seats for the movie trailers to start. I said to Joe, “they don’t realize the gravity of this situation.” It was dramatic and serious. I said it jokingly, but part of me meant it. In a huge sense (for the MCU) this is the ending of an era. But this too makes me think of when the LORD will come again; it will also be the ending of an era. It will be the end of something great and the start of something greater.
Now that Endgame is over Marvel will have to start building to something new. With excitement, impatience, and hope, I wonder which direction they will take. In a similar way I wonder about my future after the Race. Like End Game, the ending of the Race will be the end of one great thing but the start of another. There are so many paths God might lead me down. I wonder and long to find out, but am so content in trusting His strong and protective hand as I enjoy where He’s put me now.
THE CHARACTERS AND PRAYERS THEY’VE INSPIRED IN ME
Iron Man:
Tony Stark in his first movie in 2008 was an arrogant, self absorbed, playboy but through a decade of realizing his potential as Iron Man he has put his life on the line for the sake of others countless times. He faced inner turmoil, pain, and great evils. The weight of the world was on his shoulders. And eventually he found happiness. Yet he gave up all he’d gained for the greater good of others. Tony Stark could only find rest when he did all that he could for those in need. But he had to keep choosing the good of others over himself. In a similar way the Lord has utterly transformed me. I was a slave to sin and self but He has set me free. I was dead in sin but now I’m alive in Christ. Continually I have to pick up my cross and die to myself to find true life in Christ.
Captain America:
Steve Rogers has always been the man to stand by his convictions despite what others wanted out of him. No matter the beating he took, or the foe he faced, he would always get back up. In the face of impossible odds he would never back down. He would be willing to fight alone in the face of certain death if it was for what he knew to be right. But he doesn’t have to fight alone! He had the Avengers as back up. Likewise the Lord has an army in support of me. He is on my side so who can defeat me? Nothing can frustrate His plans to see me to completion and holiness. Though I be willing to lay down my life He will keep me safe. Though I give myself up I will find myself. He is all I need. What could satisfy me but Him? I’ve tasted and seen His goodness and I desire it! I will be filled! He is wonderful! The possibilities are endless and I get to live with Him following His lead! What more could I ask for? Only the courage and strength of will to stand true to my convictions even when the world is against me.
Thor:
Thor has also had a lot of character development and gone through a lot. When he first entered the scene he was arrogant, war hungry, and wanted the throne. But his father deemed him unworthy. Through discipline though, he was humbled and learned wisdom. He was built up and found his power and worthiness returned. He was a powerful force of good to be reckoned with. But he couldn’t defeat every evil. He failed and could not live with that. He lost hope and purpose but when a messenger of hope came he came back into the fight and found that there was more in store for him. Sin has broken me. I am beaten down into the dust. I fail and fail again. How can I wield this power God’s given me? How can I be a holy temple for His Spirit when I continually turn my back on Him? Yet He still loves me. He still calls me child. He still calls me beloved. He calls me to trust Him. He calls me to grace and obedience. He calls me worthy. Though I am beaten down I will not give up. I will not surrender. I will fight for the LORD. I will trust in Him. I will take the focus off my self and put it on Him. Despite my weaknesses and failures He has made me holy. I ask that I will be able to see it. I ask to be filled up with grace; to be filled up with Himself. Make my body a living sacrifice O Lord. Help me to see and to remember the joy of suffering.
WONDROUS POSSIBILITIES
I am so excited for what is going to happen next in the MCU though it will be different. All good things come to an end. This Race is coming to an end. It fills me with sadness to know that this season and this community will soon be behind me. Yet I know that He is leading me to still greater things. But those too will end. Yet I know that when our Father comes again and sets up His kingdom, that will never fade away. There may be new beginnings and new wonders that He will continually astonish us with. New facets of His wondrous and glorious self that He will reveal to us. But there won’t be the sorrow of endings and the longing for the things that end to continue. For there will be no more tears.
It’s been so exciting for me to grow up and to see the MCU unfold. It will continue to be exciting as it keeps unfolding. What’s more exciting though is continuing to experience and discover this life my Father has set out for me. Continuing to grow in my knowledge, faith, and trust of Him. But my greatest hope and excitement is for what’s to come after He returns in glory. Though He is continually growing me in greater maturity and knowledge of Him I can only grasp so much of Him in this life. I can’t wait to see Him face to face and to keep learning new things about Him as we go through eternity together.
“You lead me with your secret wisdom. And following you brings me into your brightness and glory! Whom have I in heaven but you? You’re all I want! No one on earth means as much to me as you. Lord, so many times I fail; I fall into disgrace. But when I trust in you, I have a strong and glorious presence protecting and anointing me. Forever you’re all I need!” – Psalm 73:24-26 TPT
“One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.” – Psalm 27:4 NIV
