Superpowers, Superheroes, & A Boy Named Ian Wesley

Let me tell you a story about a little boy and his grandmother.  The little boy is 4 very precocious years old and his name is Ian Wesley.  The grandmother is exceedingly young and lives thousands of miles away from all of her grandchildren.  All 5 of her  bright and darling grandchildren call her, “Marmee”.  She thinks that “Marmee” is the most beautiful word in the history of mankind …

As Marmee was saying her final good-bye to her little boy genius, Ian, she held him in her arms and he held her face in both of his hands.  He was kissing her on her wrinkle-free cheeks and finally the Marmee reluctantly put him down.  Ian then clung to her legs with all of his might.  

“”Well, buddy, Marmee needs to go now.  But … remember … change the world!” were Marmee’s parting words to this little bundle of energy, enthusiasm and perpetual liveliness.

“What?!  Change the world?!” Ian incredulously asked. “I tan’t change the world!!  I don’t have superpowers!!”

His parents and I grinned at each other and at the remarkable response of this remarkable little man.

As I began the nearly 1,500 mile drive home to an empty but clean house and away from those who are forever in my heart, I thought to my Marmee self, “Oh!  But Ian!  You have it all wrong because you do, indeed, have superpowers that will change the world you live in!”

“Ian … you have the power of love in your little soul.  The power of love is a game changer every time in every relationship.  Unconditional love is the basis for all healthy relationships; vibrant love is the launching pad for all young lives and their dreams; tenacious love is the glue that holds families together.  When you choose to love somebody difficult and cruel … it is the greatest superpower of all! Ian … you really can change the world with love.”

“Ian … you have the power of prayer at your every day disposal!  When ordinary human beings talk to God … He listens!  When we ask in faith … mountains are moved out of the way and that changes every one’s world!  When we diligently and relentlessly knock on the door of God’s heart through prayer … demons flee and so do bad guys!  Ian … prayer is more exciting and game-changing than super-heroes who leap buildings in a single bound or possess the power of x-ray vision.  Ian … you really can change the world on your knees!”

“Ian … you have the superpower of wisdom!  Wisdom is thinking like God thinks!  Wisdom is better than being best friends with Superman, Batman or Captain America!  When you ask God for wisdom, He transfers His great and powerful mental capabilities into your human brain and heart.  Wisdom will help you always win in life and will keep you away from dark and threatening places.  Buddy … when you ask God for His wisdom … you really can change the world in partnership with God!  Imagine that!”

“Ian … the words that you speak hold the power of life and death!  The words that you choose to say to your mom and dad … to your cousins … to your friends … to your teachers … and to your Marmee and Pa … can change their lives forever.  When you choose to say kind words to someone who is having a bad day … their life is forever changed by you!  When you choose to encourage someone who is discouraged … their life is changed instantly by you!  Ian, your words are powerful capsules of world-changing capacity, so only use your words as an instrument of peace and never as a weapon of mass destruction.

“Ian … you hold in your heart the power of forgiveness which is one of the greatest superpowers known in all of recorded history.  When somebody is unkind to you, you can forgive them … then love them … then pray for them!  Wow!  That’s three superpowers all at once!  Forgiveness is eternally powerful because it is what Jesus did for you.  And, when you forgive someone who has hurt you, you are acting just like Jesus … the greatest Hero of all time!  No bad buys or evil powers can stop you or destroy you when you choose to act like Jesus and forgive someone.

“Ian … when you become best friends with Jesus Christ, nothing will be impossible for you!  You might not be able to leap buildings in a single bound or move faster than a speeding bullet … but you will be able to do extraordinary exploits and go on exciting adventures with Him.  You will pray for people and they will be healed of sickness and disease!  You might follow Jesus, the Superhero of all Superheroes, to places like Africa, China or India!  Together you and Jesus can tell other boys and girls about the power that only He can give!”

“ So … Ian … my little boy who will soon grow up in the blink of an eye just like his daddy did … you do indeed possess superpowers!  You can change the world because you belong to Jesus and He belongs to you.  And Ian, just let me tell you that I am waiting for it!  I am watching your life with grand anticipation because this Marmee knows … I just know … that you are one of the extraordinary superheroes who have been chosen at this moment in history to change the world.

So do it, Ian!  You have been given the superpowers of love … prayer … wisdom … words that bring life … forgiveness … and the power of friendship with Jesus! So do it … to infinity and beyond!!!!!!”