Great Power, Great Responsibility

"With great power comes great responsibility"

Who doesn't love Spiderman?  The story is a familiar one; one that gets told in a variety of ways.  Little geeky guy who loves justice, but can't seem to get a break, gets a gifting that renders him exceptional.  Little geeky guy suddenly is able to do many things he couldn't do before, but now faces temptation to succumb to worldly treasures he didn't have access to.  Little geeky guy makes a choice to use his power to serve justice, at the expense of those worldly treasures.

Spiderman gave up his worldly dream of love with his friend, Mary Jane.  In this version, you hear that familiar line, "With great power comes great responsibility," as he walks away from her (to protect her).  I think this way of illustrating responsibility really hits home.  He was willing to walk away from her, to let her move on, to help her be safe and protected, but at great personal pain.

Paul writes about the gifts of the Spirit in 1 Corinthians 12-14.  Paul declares that there are different gifts given by the Spirit, and that we should use our gifts to help each other.  What is really neat is that he takes the time to really emphasize love as he discusses the gifts.  We need love to be able to use the gifts that were given to us by the Spirit.  If we don't have love, we are nothing.  Our gifts would be useless.  We have a responsibility to love others.  Really love them.

"Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance." (1Corinthians 13:7 NLT)