I like music. As long as the music is not vulgar or profane, I like to listen to the lyrics. Lyrics are someone’s thoughts in a poetic form. So for me, listening to music give me some insight into the way people think. Not just the artist, but the type of person who listen to a particular artist.
As a matter of fact, when I meet people, music is one of the topics that I like to explore, because you learn what a person is in agreement with by the music they listen to. “As a man thinketh…”
So I like the style of Anthony Hamilton, and knowing that he has a new project out, I wanted to give it a listen. As I was looking through the song titles, I can across a song entitled “Prayin For You/Superman”. I thought this an odd title just because it is like two in one. But so is the song. It is literally two songs in one. It give you a glimpse into two sides of the same man, or two modes of operation- leading to a single purpose.
When the song was over, I couldn’t help but wonder where is the modern day prototype of this kind of man. The song gave me hope that this kind of man does exist in modern times, but when it was over – I thought, ‘and where is my superman’?????.
I had come to believe that men no long wanted to be superman – not in the sense of being a hero. There are some who want to be superman, in a way that recognizes their strength and ability. But a true hero is about his ability being used to fulfill the character of the man. The ability cant make one a hero, it is the underlying character that challenges the hero to use is ability for the good of others.
The secular world has lied. The secular world has convinced so many that there is greater wisdom than to follow the teachings of God. Many have followed what they believed would give then the desires of their heart---- only to find out that they are not sure what their heart desires, and that what they have been chasing is not making them happy. But instead of looking elsewhere for their answers, they seek their answers in the same secular world that has lead them astray in the first place.
Psalms 4: 2-5
O men, how long shall my honor suffer shame? How long will you love vain words, and seek after lies? [Selah] 3 But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him. 4 Be angry, but sin not; commune with your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. [Selah] 5 Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the LORD.
Andre Crouch wrote a song that said it as simply as it could be put-----“Jesus is the answer for the world today, above him there’s no other—Jesus is the way…”
The challenge in ministry is how do we help guide people to look in the right direction when everything in the world is telling them to look to material objects and heartless human interactions? The bible spoke of the statistical situation that we are facing today. Isaiah 4:1 “And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach.”
Men are loving these statistical odd that are currently working in their favor toward being greedy in their lust for women. But the sad part of the story is that this is causing a rise in the spread of HIV, and African American women are leading in the mortality rate of this disease –due to all this polygamist sexuality.
I cant help but wonder if this economic crisis is actually a blessing for the family. Maybe it will keep parents in the same household, determined to work in harmony to save their family… as one song writer put it ---‘its cheaper to keeper’. Splitting and creating two sets of household bills means there is less money to go around, less for the children’s needs, less money for personal needs, etc. And just maybe this trying to work on being a family will draw people back to seeking God in prayer for wisdom and guidance. Maybe it will help people to learn to be thankful and appreciative of what God has already blessed them with, instead of basking in this ideology that there is something better to upgrade to….
Not that I am not struggling like everyone else, but I think it will draw people to look for satisfaction for their soul instead through their lifestyle. Having less will make us all more appreciative of what we have, and less wasteful with what we get. Hopefully this will include appreciating the people in our lives, instead of worshipping the attainment of material wealth. There is nothing wrong with having nice things, but objects should never be worshipped.
I cant help but to think that as more people are forced to downsize their lifestyle, many will have to give up their favorite cable channels- which means fewer messages of worldly thinking will be coming into the home. But the charge to keep has been given to those of us who call ourselves Christians, we have a part to play in this. What can I do? How am I suppose to change anything?
Well the truth is you cant change anything without the help of God. But you can call for God’s help…
2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
God can and will turn a whole community, and nation around for HIS people.
I said all of that to say, I don’t know where the prototype is for a modern day Superman, other than to look at example given to what is expected of a Godly Man. I believe when God and man are in relationship, the qualities of God’s original intent for man will grow and manifest in the life of the man---
SELAH
