I’m No Wonder Woman!
By
Susan Klein
“I
praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”
Psalm
139:14a (NIV)
I’m not old enough to remember the first
publication of the DC Comic Book heroine Wonder Woman in 1942. I do, however,
remember watching the TV series starring Lynda Carter in the late 1970’s. She
was the embodiement of every young girl’s dream. She had a gorgeous figure,
amazing superhuman powers, wore indestructable bracelets, carried a lasso to
rope up the bad guys, and even donned a golden tiara. She was quite the
superhero! Lynda Carter found that she was no Wonder Woman off-screen though,
as she battled with and succumbed to alcoholism. [1]
Remembering that she’s just a figment of
some man’s imagination, I still occasionally struggle with the image of Wonder
Woman. I don’t have any amazing talents or special clothes that can do unique
thing. I’m really rather ordinary by worldly standards. I haven’t made any
claims to fame, haven’t discovered any miracle cures, and haven’t saved anyone
from a burning building or a criminal attack. In fact, I’m not athletic, not
musically inclined, nor do I have a remarkable career. Everthing in my life is
pretty “average.” I’ll bet Wonder Woman never had an average day in her life. Oh,
to spend one day in her shoes!
Keeping things in perspective, none of us
are Wonder Women. Just as the creator of Wonder Woman had specific qualities in
mind for her character, God created each of us exactly as He did for a purpose.
Some are destined for greatness, others are not. He didn’t intend for me to be
in the spotlight or to save millions from destruction. He intended for me to be
the person I am, and He uses me “as is,” even if it means being ordinary. I’m
okay with that, especially knowing I’m created in His image. After all, Scripture
says that Jesus “made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant…” (Philippians
2:7). “He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to Him, nothing in His
appearance that we should desire Him” (Isaiah
53:2b). He didn’t come to earth with all the bells and whistles of a star,
just the qualities of an ordinary man. “He humbled Himself and became obedient to
death, even death on a cross” (Philippians
2:8b)! These are poweful words to remember when we start to feel
purposeless, and desire to be something we are not.
God makes no mistakes in His creation of us.
Our response is to just humbly obey Him.
GOING DEEPER:
1. What unhealthy comparisons might you be
making between yourself and someone else?
2.
Can you be “content” with the woman God has created you to be, trusting
in His workmanship?
FURTHER READING:
Susan
enjoys teaching Bible studies, writing, and mentoring. She and her husband Mark
enjoy opening their home to those in need.
