Christianity, image is everything. “What
will they think of me?” We say it to ourselves every time we’re in church.
Because as men, we men
often suffer from “Superman” syndrome. We get the capes and
red boots and as long as we are flying through the air everyone
claps. But the moment they see us as Clark Kent the fear of the real
us sets in.
We’re
anointed by God, but we’re tired. Tired of dealing with issues, and
situations and mess. Tired of swallowing what we would like to say.
Tired of being nice while life is being nasty. Tired of not being
appreciated. Tired of being taken for granted. Tired of paying every
ones bills. Tired of helping everyone else out when there is no one
there to help us out.
What
will you do when the image you have of us doesn’t fit this tired
body?
Compliments
turn into conceit. “You’re everything I want to be,” they say.
But you
don’t know everything we are. And though we are honored by your
compliment, you are only intensifying the pressure to live up to your
image. We want to be your Superman. We really do. But the older we
get the more we long to be who we really are, even though that means
giving up the suit.
Will
you love us just as we are? We want someone whom I can be transparent
and say. “This is me. No cape, no boots, no Superman. I’m messed
up, immature, broken, selfish, afraid, bored, and thirsty for more
but not sure what I’m thirsty for.” We want it, but are afraid of
it at the same time.
Still,
transparency is what we need. Not another Superman suit. It’s too
tight, too hot, boots wrong size, been wearing it too long, feet
hurting, back hurting and I’m getting old. Superman didn’t get old on
T.V., but we are.
We
need you to let us fail. We need you to let us take off our suits
and fall a long ways down. We need you to let Superman be betrayed,
to hang Superman on that cross, to let him sit in that tomb for three
days. Then, maybe a realKing
will rise from the dead.
The King that has been hidden in us all along.
We were just waiting for someone to come along and nurture the king
within without the expectations of being Superman. Instead allowing
our hearts to be adventurously free and dangerously captivating so
much so our very souls scream for more of who we are and less of who
you think we should be.
The King within awaits for such a time.
