And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. Hebrews 11:32-34, NIV
AI suggests that since 2000, 120-130 major superhero movies have been released. How many have you seen? And why do you think these movies are so popular and captivating? I believe it’s partly because, deep down inside, we know we are supposed to operate supernaturally—to be superheroes.
C.S. Lewis’s “Argument from Desire” posited this very idea, saying in Mere Christianity that “If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.”
In fact, Jesus called us into this very kind of life when he sent out the twelve disciples and said, “As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons” (Matthew 10:7-8).
As we approach St. Patrick’s Day, we would be remiss if we did not tell our students about a real superhero who took up the challenge of living supernaturally. St. Patrick’s extraordinary life of faith had profound results.
St. Patrick was born in Britain but was captured by Irish raiders around the age of 16 and sold into slavery. The trial of slavery pushed him deeper into his faith and relationship with God. Patrick writes that he “was made to shepherd the flocks day after day, and, as I did so, I would pray all the time, right through the day. More and more, the love of God and fear of him grew strong within me.”
Six years later, the voice of God directed him to escape slavery and flee to a ship, which took him back to Britain, where he was reunited with his family. Shortly thereafter, God visited him again and, through a vision, called him back to Ireland as a missionary.
In Ireland, Patrick records many accounts of spiritual confrontation with the druidic priests and rulers of Ireland, which came at great risk to him—he recounts at least twelve times his life was in danger. But these risks of faith demonstrated God’s power, resulting in openness to the Gospel and the eventual conversion of much of Ireland.
St. Patrick may not have Stephen Spielberg or Jerry Bruckheimer to make a movie about his life, but he does have faithful educators to tell his amazing story to each generation of students, inspiring them with a life of risky faith in God.
May his example inspire all of us to step out in greater levels of faith.
Father, thank You for the gift of St. Patrick. His life reminds us that we were made for more than just getting by. Show us more and more how to step into living supernaturally by faith, experiencing the leading of Your Holy Spirit and the power we have in You to demolish the strongholds of the enemy. And Lord, may we follow Patrick’s example of letting the trials in our lives draw us deeper into Your presence. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Copyright David Schmus.
David is the Executive Director of Christian Educators.
