This devotional is titled Spiderman Devotional, and is a culmination of thoughts of my G12 leader Adrian Chan, and myself. Now what has a Hollywood movie based on a comic book character got to do with the Christian faith?

Actually, if you are a Christian, all the more you ought to be able to identify with Peter Parker's struggle. “With great power comes great responsibility.” This is the key quote from the movie, told to Peter by his uncle Ben. The Lord has indeed given us great power, blessings, talents, and anointing. What then do we do with these gifts? We are bestowed at the same time with a great responsibility – to further the works of the kingdom. In simple terms, the Great Commission. Our responsibility is to use all that God has given us so freely, and plow into His work.

Yet, life is full of struggles. Look at Peter Parker in Spiderman 2 – for his heroic cause, he sacrificed love, work, studies, and everything else the world holds as important. But at one point, he wavered. And he quitted being Spiderman. How familiar this is, don't you think? We put aside our personal agenda when we become involved in ministry. At some point, we may struggle, because we see how others seem to move on ahead in love, career, studies, family, and etc. This is the make-or-break point for many, as I have seen too many friends throw in the towel and quit ministry, and some, even leaving the church altogether.

From the movie, crime rate went up 75% when Peter decided to go back to his old way of life. Evil began to triumph in the meantime. I guess it is nearly the same thing for us as well. The more we go back to the ways of the world that we were accustomed to, God loses one soldier, and quoting Senior Pastor, we are all indispensable in the Christian fight. On the surface, we may acquire some happiness, but we would have missed the spiritual ramifications.

I like one scene in the movie in particular - the one where Peter Parker changes his mind about quitting being Spiderman. He visits his aunt, and meets a boy who was helping the aunt move house. His aunt tells him that the boy wants to be Spiderman when he grows up. That boys like him need a hero. And his aunt reminds him of the noble cause that Spiderman served, and how his sacrifices did matter and count for something. This is the kind of encouragement that we as Christians need. What we do in ministry does matter. We may not realize it, but the people around us do look at us, and see our deeds. For all you know, you may be a hero to someone out there through your good works, and that someone may decide to want to be like you, and become a Christian, for that reason.

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

Matthew 5: 14-16

Teach me to be a light that shines before men, and bear good testimony!

Further Reflections