A Modern Parable

April 3, 2024

Leadership Notes

A MODERN PARABLE

     Today I saw a boy in my neighborhood…fifth or sixth grade…up on the roof of his house wearing a Superman costume. Including cape {important point to note}.

     The normally friendly sort that I am, I asked him what he was doing. He said he was going to jump off the roof and fly off to fight crime. He said he was Superman.

     What should I say? What should I do?

     In a desire to be loving toward him, and not hurt his feelings, and not be judgmental, I carefully measured my response. If he thought he was Superman, I had no choice but to affirm his new identity. He needed to know that he wasn’t invisible to me. So I said, “I see you, Superman. Blessings on your crime fighting. I wish you all the best in your flying endeavors.” I then went on my merry way. How happy I was with myself for having affirmed him in his new identity.

     Later I heard he jumped off the roof. Both legs were broken. He also sustained a mild concussion. He’s in serious condition in the hospital.

     While he will deal with ongoing pain and recovery, I felt good knowing I had affirmed his belief that he was Superman. What kind of monster would I be to deny him that right? I needed to let him know he was visible to me. I made sure he felt seen and knew I loved him as my neighbor. How dare anybody say what I did or didn’t do was wrong.

     For anyone who questions me, do better. Do better.

     We didn’t let crazy cultural happenings infiltrate our beautiful Easter worship celebration. That’s what these missives are for. Yay Leadership Notes.

     When thinking about our wicked and fallen culture, a question comes to mind. “Why doth the heathen rage?” Why do bureaucrats with lanyards and slow-to-think elected officials imagine such vain things? All I know is that it lets the light of God’s glory shine. We get to speak and bear witness to Biblical truth in the midst of so many lies. Even though our voices are in the minority, God has deemed us worthy to be bearers of His Truth and Light.

     I love remembering what we learned from James 1:2-4:

“Count it all joy, my friends, when you meet trials of various

kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces

steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you

may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

     Indeed, let the heathen rage.

     And now, your Moment of Spurgeon:

“THE REPROACH OF CHRIST HE ESTEEMED ABOVE PHAROAH’S

CROWN. DISCIPLES OF JESUS, BE WILLING TO BEAR ALL THE

CONTUMELY* THE WICKED POUR UPON YOU FOR THE LORD’S

SAKE, FOR IN SO DOING THEY HELP TO MAKE YOU BLESSED.”

     With Much Love and Affection,

Richard

*insolent or insulting language or treatment