If you had superpowers, what would you do? Most of us would say something like, “help others.” But wouldn’t it be tempting to use your power to do a little grand-standing? And how would you know if you were really using your power to help others or to draw attention to yourself?
Elisha
In 2 Kings chapter 4, Elisha is doing one miracle after another. And because of the way these events are narrated, it appears that Elisha is showing off. But if you look at the chapter carefully, you find that…
- Elisha’s interest is always focused on caring for the needs of others.
- The miracles are often done either behind closed doors (2 Kings 4:4, 33) or in the company of the prophets (2 Kings 4:38-44.) The miracles are not to impress the general public.
- Elisha acknowledges that he is submissive to the real miracle worker…God. (2 Kings 4:27, 43.)
Us
All of us are like Elisha. We may not be able to do dramatic miracles, but God has given us many other things we could use to benefit others. Things like our:
- Time.
- Talent.
- Resources.
- Experience.
- Fruit of the Spirit.
- Etc.
Though more subtle than Elisha’s miracles, we can take what God has given us and produce one miracle after another in other’s lives.
Are you doing that, or are you taking what God has given you and using it for your own benefit? Are you doing what you do for others behind closed doors, so as to not draw attention to yourself? Do you readily acknowledge that what you have is a gift from God to be gifted to others?
We do have superpowers as believers. Jesus even said that we would do even greater things than He did. (John 14:12) The Spirit that empowered Elisha and raised Jesus from the dead dwells in us as believers.
So, how will you use your superpower?
For the glory of God behind closed doors.