What is your superpower? by Brendan Conboy
Do you dream of having a superpower? Long for the power of invisibility, so that you can snoop in all of the prohibited places? Desire x-ray vision, so that you can see through walls? Yearn for the power of invincibility, so that you can live forever? My favourite fantasy superpower is the ability to steal the superpowers of other people. What is your favourite?
Joking aside, as Christian writers we all have a superpower. We all have the power to bring about change, influence, inspire, build up (and tear down), encourage, motivate, direct, and guide. Our power is endless, especially when we partner with the Holy Spirit.
Words have the power to bring forth tears (of joy and happiness), turn a frown into a smile, mourning into laughter, instil fear, evoke anger and more.
A great story starts with carefully chosen words. They set the tone, the mood, the scene, a moment in time. The reader consumes and digests every single word, every sentence and paragraph. By the time they have read to the bottom of the page change is already in motion. You have that power, the question is, what will you do with it?
When I was at college, many years ago, one of my tutors taught the class an anagram – PEBBOM. Please engage brain before opening mouth. Unlike our written words, our spoken words cannot be edited. They can never be unsaid, so we need to tap into our superpower even more or we may inadvertently offend and hurt.
Author and poet, Maya Angelou said, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel.”
I am a storyteller and it gives me great delight to share my own story, my testimony. As I witness to others how God has changed my life, I notice the change occurring in others. After I have finished speaking, some ask for prayer, but the most exciting change is when my words impact them to invite Jesus into their lives. That is the best superpower ever and I thank God for giving me this gift.
Beautiful post Brendan. Thank you. I have always desired ALL the fruits and gifts of the Holy Spirit as I would become a superwoman able to heal any infirmity, etc. That would automatically transform lives to believe the gospel. Blessings.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great desire, though God looks at you and says, "You truly are a superwoman."
DeleteTerrific Brendan, the ability to communicate about Jesus through your own testimony is certainly a superpower.
ReplyDeleteThanks, David, we all have that superpower in the Holy Spirit.
ReplyDeleteVery true, Brendan. Words can impact lives. Great reminder of the power of our words.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sheila, and they are even more powerful when in partnership with the Holy Spirit.
DeleteVery true. Can I remember the content of my Inorganic Chemistry textbook? Answer...less than 2%. Can I remember stories from n+50 years ago...yup! Keep telling your stories, Brendan!
ReplyDeleteHaha, I would be the same with my engineering textbooks. Though I do remember PEBBOM. That tutor made us feel accepted and he saw potential in each of us. I'm sure you did the same, John.
DeleteGreat post Brendan, encouraging to hear how God is using the power of your testimony in the lives of others.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Meryl, we each have powerful testimonies. It's how God calls us to use them that makes the difference.
DeleteWonderful encouraging post David. God has blessed you with a wonderful way of connecting to people, and the last paragraph of your post reaches out to our hearts. God bless you.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Derrice, we are all blessed more than we realise.
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