People love the idea of exotic adventures. We dream of exciting travels to far away countries or even far away planets. We fantasize about having fantastic powers or abilities or being specially chosen for a dangerous mission that will require a great amount of courage or heroism. I always have, at least. There's something about science fiction and fantasy that appeals to human nature. Some of us crave a dangerous adventure and wish we could escape to a far-away planet that needs us. We want to be called to do something bigger than simply survive in a cushy little suburbia.
But unfortunately elaborate, super-powered, multi-world adventures are limited to the world of fiction...right? Well, to be honest, I believe we're living in one right now.
Two thousand years ago, a hero from a different dimension came down to Earth. He was not the hero anyone expected; blunt, rebellious and from lowly origins, but he was exactly the hero they needed. His super-human powers were nearly endless. He could bend weather to his will, heal the wounded and the sick, raise the dead, transfigure the elements, see the future and possessed increased strength and endurance that allowed him to go weeks without food. Although he gained the public's love and respect, he made more than a few enemies...just like any superhero.
With great power comes great responsibility, however. This hero's responsibility was to save all of humanity and he did so by offering himself up in self-sacrifice. Like Aslan, Gandalf, Jean Grey, Spock and the Silver Surfer, he willingly allowed himself to be killed so that others may live. However, he was far too powerful to stay dead for long and travelled back to our dimension to set up a new alliance of warriors. These elect soldiers would be hand-selected to carry on his legacy until he returned to our world for the final time...this time, as its king.
Of course, this is the story of Jesus Christ. When you think about it, the Bible is nothing but one big real-life fantasy adventure. It just doesn't seem magical because we've grown used to it. I'm sure Legolas and Aragorn think their world is perfectly normal and boring, while we few Middle Earth to be some fantastic magical world. In the same way, we most of us look at our own world as simple and boring, but if a Mirkwood elf were to go Sacramento, he'd think he was in a magical kingdom out of a fantasy novel. Our reality is just as fantastic as any world of fiction. Christians have blessing of being the heroes. We are Christ's individually selected warriors chosen to light up the world. Spiritual gifts are like super-powers and Satan is our Dr. Doom.
I hate it when Christianity is treated like any other religion. It's not. What I hate even more, however, is when Christianity is treated like a trend. I hate it when kids act like wearing a "Team Jesus" t-shirt makes them a Christian in the same way wearing eye-liner and gages would make them an emo. Christianity should be treated like a mission...and not a make-believe one. Bible Studies shouldn't be cutesy little social gatherings, they should be team meetings. The Bible isn't a religious text, it's a secret agent manual. Christians aren't a political party like democrats, or a trend like goths, or a religious group like Muslims...they're super-powered mutant heroes like the X-Men.
If you happen to be a sci-fi/fantasy geek like me, stop dreaming and start living. There's a real-life mission that you're being called for. There are powers to unlock, people to save and enemies to fight. There's a battle going on right now, and whether or not you're aware of it you are already involved. Make sure you're on the right side.
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