The Superman Syndrome

By Austin Johnson

     Have you ever felt the need to be Superman?  I am not talking about a weird desire to dress up in a blue and red spandex suit (although I would understand).  I am talking about feeling the need to do everything yourself.  You see a need and are too scared to ask others to do it.  You are incredibly busy but you do not think anyone else should have to sacrifice so you add the responsibility to your list.  You know what I am talking about.  Let’s call it the Superman Syndrome.  I believe this feeling is very real and sometimes very detrimental to our physical and spiritual health.  There are three comments about the Superman Syndrome I would like to share: 
     #1 If you deal with Superman Syndrome, it is time to relax and trust others.  I have dealt with this syndrome many times before.  Acts 2:44 says “And all who believed were together…”  Let’s restore that principle of being together and helping one another out.   
     #2 Many people are struggling with Superman Syndrome, so be proactive and help them out.  1 Corinthians 1:10 says “be united in the same mind and the same judgment.”  We all need to focus on the mission of the church— seeking and saving the lost.  We live every day among people who are lost in sin and destined for eternal destruction.  We MUST seek them out and plant seeds of truth, righteousness, and love in their hearts.  So be proactive and seek opportunities to help others; i.e. Neighborhood Kids Ministry, leading in worship at the nursing home on Sunday mornings, learning to run the A/V equipment, mow lawns, play cards with the Golden Agers on Tuesdays, teach a Bible class, mentor a child, or invite a friend to worship to name a few.  
     #3 It requires a church.  Christ created his church to exist in community.  That principle is clearly seen through 1 Corinthians 12:12, “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.”  Our job, being Christ’s church, requires more than one individual or even a group of small individuals.  It requires a church.  So ask yourself today, what am I doing for Christ’s body?  Be active.  Be involved.  And in all things, bring glory to God.     

- Austin Johnson serves as youth minister for the Calvert City Church of Christ in Calvert City, KY.  He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.calvertchurchofchrist.com