(Spoiler Alerts Are included)
Tony Stark has it all or at least thinks he does in the beginning of Iron Man. He is wealthy, talented, loves women, and couldn’t care less about anyone around him. People are only in his life to help him achieve his purpose in life: “Look out for number one”.
Stark begins to evaluate a change in purpose and direction in life when he is captured by a terrorist group named The Ten Rings. A doctor captured by the group, Dr. Ho Yinsen, has saved his life, by building a electromagnet piece in his heart to keep the remaining shrapnel from entering it.
His friendship with Dr. Yinsen is the first friendship in his life that is not out for him and his purpose in life. Yinsen tells Stark that the very weapons his company, Stark Industries, makes is being used by terrorists. Yinsen calls him to forge a deeper legacy that the one he has created for himself.
The terrorists want them to create a missile Stark Industries makes, but instead they make a early model of the Iron Man suit. When they both try to escape, Yinsen is shot. In their final conversation, Stark says, “Thank you for saving me.” Yinsen says, “Don’t waste it.” Don’t waste your life.”
Stark’s journey towards redemption is similar to many conversion stories we hear from many Christ followers. It is dramatic, adventurous, and shows a clear change in purpose and direction. These stories, just like the apostle Paul, are important, and help lead many people to Jesus. However, I have met many Christians, just like myself, who have grown up in the church who don’t think they have a great story. These Christians feel like their stories don’t matter and can’t lead people to Christ, but Christ still has a plan for their stories.
However, we forgot that we are not telling our story, but the story of God’s work in us. Romans 5: 8, 10-11 says, But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were sinners, Christ died for us. For if we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!!”
When Stark returns home to America, he announces a change of direction in his company in that no more weapons will be produced. Obadiah Stane, who took over the company after Stark’s father died, is mad and upset at this change in direction. Stane was the one who sought to have Stark captured and killed by the Ten Rings, but the Ten Rings reneged. Stane discovers that they have recovered elements of Tony’s first suit and he uses it to build his own suit. He tries to kill Stark, but is thwarted by the efforts of Stark and his assistant Pepper Potts.
Similar to Stark, we should not be surprised to face opposition as we seek to live a life driven by purpose defined by God. It may feel like at times that the opposition is from our friends, our spouses, or co-workers. But our true opposition comes from Satan, the Father of lies. The only defining identity Satan has is being the Father of lies. He wants to replace the truth God has given to our hearts into lies. We are powerless. We are not acceptable. We are ugly. We are not worthy of love.
However, Jesus says, “You are powerful because the same power that rose me from the grave lives in you.” (Romans 8:11)“You are accepted and loved not through anything you have done but because of my love I poured out for the cross for you (Romans 5:8)”You are beautiful because I created you; a masterpiece.” (Ephesians 2:10) You are worthy of love because I don’t make junk, I am the one who formed you in your mother’s womb.” (Jeremiah 1:5, Psalm 139:13).
Don’t waste your life, friends. Embrace the wonder of God’s purpose for your life.
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