Iron Us!
The summer movie season gets in to high gear today with the release of Iron Man 2. As a kid, I was much more interested in Star Wars than just about everything else, so I never got involved with comics of any kind, least of all Iron Man. So I was as surprised as anyone at the phenomenal success of the movie Iron Man, which was released two years ago to tremendous reviews-- from comic geeks, general moviegoers, and critics. It's nearly impossible to bring all those opinions together. But Iron Man did it.
I saw Iron Man in a wonderful cinema in Washington, D.C., a one-screen movie house from the 1940s. I sat in the balcony and was just blown away. A year or so later, Christy and I watched in on DVD-- her first time. We both loved it. She then issued an edict: you may not see the sequel without me. Now, it's out. And as millions go to see it today and over the weekend, we'll have to wait until both of our calendars match with an open date. Who knows when that will be!
So faith in Christ, not our own abilities, is what we need to be strong and powerful. If only we take up what is offered to us. Knowing this, what exactly is a Christian powerless to do? As each of us continues in our own journey down the road of faith, how do we confront the challenges we face? With fear and anxiety? By relying on our own abilities? Or with faith in God, who gives us power to withstand anything?
Iron Man makes for great entertainment, but Tony Stark can only go as far as his own ability takes him. If anything he builds fails, he's out of luck. I think each of would hope we'd live in faith, remembering the scripture: "I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:13). We won't be superheroes, and movies won't be made about us. But lives will be changed-- starting with our own, then spreading to others.
Then we'll be real iron men, women, and kids!
I saw Iron Man in a wonderful cinema in Washington, D.C., a one-screen movie house from the 1940s. I sat in the balcony and was just blown away. A year or so later, Christy and I watched in on DVD-- her first time. We both loved it. She then issued an edict: you may not see the sequel without me. Now, it's out. And as millions go to see it today and over the weekend, we'll have to wait until both of our calendars match with an open date. Who knows when that will be!
Iron Man is the story of Tony Stark, a billionaire arms dealer who supplies the military with their most high-tech and lethal weapons. He lives a reckless lifestyle, without discipline or boundaries. He flies the globe in his personal jet, has no real relationships, lives from moment to moment. And this is just fine with him, until he is kidnapped by insurrectionists, who use the weapons he designed to further their own ideology. To escape, he creates a suit of armor loaded with guns and bombs. Upon returning to the US, he develops the suit further and becomes a super hero. Every guy's dream!
Makes for a great movie-- and I'm sure Iron Man 2 will be fun too-- if you see it, keep your opinions and thoughts to yourself! But here's the real deal: as Christians we have access to our own super suit, that gives us power:
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil... Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:13-17).Makes for a great movie-- and I'm sure Iron Man 2 will be fun too-- if you see it, keep your opinions and thoughts to yourself! But here's the real deal: as Christians we have access to our own super suit, that gives us power:
So faith in Christ, not our own abilities, is what we need to be strong and powerful. If only we take up what is offered to us. Knowing this, what exactly is a Christian powerless to do? As each of us continues in our own journey down the road of faith, how do we confront the challenges we face? With fear and anxiety? By relying on our own abilities? Or with faith in God, who gives us power to withstand anything?
Iron Man makes for great entertainment, but Tony Stark can only go as far as his own ability takes him. If anything he builds fails, he's out of luck. I think each of would hope we'd live in faith, remembering the scripture: "I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:13). We won't be superheroes, and movies won't be made about us. But lives will be changed-- starting with our own, then spreading to others.
Then we'll be real iron men, women, and kids!
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