There’s a popular song right now that says:
“I’m only one call away I’ll be there to save the day. Superman’s got nothing on me. I’m only one call away.”*
I don’t actually know if it’s that popular. What I know is that my roommates keep singing it, so it keeps getting stuck in my head. It seems popular in this house.
It struck me one day this week as I was driving home and listening to that song: that I keep waiting for Superman to show up. Keep checking the sky for the flying hero. Keep waiting for him to swoop down and pull me out of what I can’t see past.
I’d been thinking earlier in the day about “fixing our eyes on Jesus” (Hebrews 12:2). And I’d whispered that I couldn’t find Him. Had reminded Him how hard it is to fix our eyes on what we cannot see.
And maybe it’s because I’ve been looking for Superman’s red cape to stream through the sky. And all the while the steady hand of a faithful Father has been writing His name across my every day.
I’ve been waiting for rescue. He keeps showing me where to place my foot.
I’ve been begging for escape. He keeps teaching me the way to walk.
I’ve been wishing for answers. He keeps reminding me of His promises.
These days don’t make a lot of sense to me. I want them to hold purpose and meaning and some grand scope. And they don’t. But they hold dinner and friends and a whole lot of laughing. They hold honest conversations. They hold road trips and coffee and the world’s strangest dog. They hold a family that I not only love but also genuinely enjoy. They hold some absurdity, but they also hold people willing to laugh with me at the absurdity of it all. And those same people can handle it if a few tears (mine and theirs) fall too.
And in it all there is this God that I can’t see. Until I close my eyes.
I keep waiting for Superman to show up. And God keeps coming a good, steady, faithful Father.
To light the next step on an unfamiliar path.
To tilt my chin back up toward Him.
To sit beside me in a quiet place.
Superheroes are great for a moment of panic. But they don’t stick around long after the danger subsides. There are other dramatic rescues to attend. There are others in worse shape than you, and Superman will leave as quickly as he arrived.
Fathers are faithful right here in the middle. Right here where we aren’t sure which way to go. Right here where we don’t know quite how this ends. Right here where we aren’t sure we’re going to like the outcome.
Fathers don’t come and go with the crisis. They stick right there beside you.
I don’t need Superman after all.
I just need a God who wrapped Himself in skin, who boldly declares that His name is still Immanuel – God with us. (Matthew 1:23)
May you know Him this day. May you know His presence and His nearness and His withness. May you stop searching the sky for Superman and see the very faithful face of a Savior right there in your midst.
Superman’s got nothing on Him.
3 comments
Becky Douglas
April 30, 2016 at 1:26 pmWell said Cody!!
Stacey
May 2, 2016 at 1:27 pmAmen Cody, I tell Him often how hard it is to put one foot in front of the other because I can’t always tell where I’m supposed to place it and how much easier it would be if He were physically in front me so I could just walk behind. I know His ways are not our ways, thank the Lord, but I often wonder would I think or choose differently if I could audibly hear and physically see Him or would He become ordinary like the other entities in my life that I can see and hear from anytime I ask? Does that make sense? It’s similar to when you go to a beautiful place and you’re in awe of every site and then you meet someone who lives in this beautiful place and they seem blind to what is around them because they see it everyday. It’s no longer special to them it’s expected and old hat. I know He has a plan, and I know the Holy Spirit is within us who believe. I know we shouldn’t give up meeting together. I know, I know, I know……..but sometimes I wish I could just sit down and truly see Him face to face, eyes wide open not closed straining to hear or see, just plainly seeing and hearing what His plans are and what I’m to be doing that day. The Lord speaks to me through His word, through, my husband, sweet friends and teachers and so much through nature on the farm but sometimes I just wish I could sit with coffee cup in hand and speak to Him face to face. Heck, I would even just love an email. Thanks for writing, I always enjoy the read. Nice to know their are others with similar thoughts rolling around in their heads. You are always so good to leave us with an encouraging word, pointing us straight back to Him.
Cody Andras
May 7, 2016 at 8:30 pmYes, Stacey! I love your point about taking for granted those things that we get used to. It is nice to know that others have similar thoughts and wishes. Much love to you!