Why I Can’t Be He-Man

Sometimes, I wish I was He-Man.

Nine words.

That’s all he needs.

Nine words…and a magic sword to hold aloft.

By the Power of Grayskull, I HAVE THE POWER.

And with those words an effeminate looking dude becomes the most powerful man in the universe. Not only is he changed but so is his cowering pet, Cringer. Changed into the mighty battle cat.

Magic words.

I wish I had them.

I’ve got junk in my own life of which I wish I could just hold aloft a sword and shout some gibberish and then all would be well. Besetting sins would disappear as quickly as Prince Adam’s pretty pink vest. By the Power of Grayskull, I’d be the man that I want to be.

Likewise, as a pastor I’d love to be able to shout empowering words at the heavens and see lightning bolts come down and transform me into a guy that saves the day for everyone. If I were He-Man I’d use my pastoral muscles to protect people from their own personal Skeltor’s.

But I’m not He-Man.

And I don’t have magic words.

Nor do I have a magic sword.

Sometimes I don’t know how to fix my own problems. Many times I don’t know how to fix the problems of other people. It seems that every few months something comes up of which I have no clue how to handle. No clue.

I’ve got Bible verses. I’ve got theology. I’ve got books. I’ve got experience. I’ve got friends. But sometimes I simply don’t have the answers. And I don’t have a sword to thrust into the air and solve everything.

I’m not He-Man and I never will be.

And that is okay because magic words don’t actually exist.

But grace does.

And it is through grace that the only One who truly has been given “the tongue of those who are taught” will “sustain with a word him who is weary” (Isaiah 50:4). Jesus doesn’t need magic words because He is the Word. And as such he is able to graciously sustain us with a single word.

With one word from his powerful lips you and I are able to be sustained for all of eternity.

One word.

And that is why I can’t be He-Man. He-Man isn’t real. He’s a mirage for pastors and teachers and writers and husbands and daddies like me. A mirage. That is all.

Only Jesus can speak a word and change the course of history.