The Beauty of Kryptonite

“It’s a bird!” 

“No, it’s a plane!”

“No… it’s Superman!” 

I’ve held a deep admiration for this fictional character since childhood. Despite his nerdy and awkward demeanor, he possessed incredible superhuman strength. I was captivated by his ability to bend even the strongest metals, lift incredible weights, and his heroic stance in consistently helping those in need with his extraordinary gift. I longed to emulate him so that I could protect my loved ones. 

However, the very perception of my admired character shattered when I discovered that even Superman had a vulnerability— kryptonite. My young mind struggled to reconcile the notion that such a mighty, powerful individual could be undermined by a small, lime-green stone. 

I learned that even iconic figures like Superman are not immune to moments of vulnerability.

Indeed, the concept of a world without weaknesses or imperfections holds an undeniable appeal. Yet, it remains a fantasy. 

From a young age, I learned firsthand that even adults are not spared from making mistakes—plenty of them. I witnessed the range of emotions that accompanied these errors as a result: anger, hurt, sadness, and even resentment. I experienced the hurt caused by other people’s mistakes. As such, the exposure to the consequences of human fallibility instilled in me a deep aversion to imperfections and mistakes—I simply didn't want to cause pain to those around me.

Yet, despite my aversion, I came to understand that mistakes are an unavoidable part of life. It seems as though weaknesses are woven into the very fabric of our being, inherent in our very own DNA, an inescapable aspect of human nature. 

I recall a particular incident from my childhood when my parents were late to pick me and my sister up from kindergarten—my sister cried inconsolably, believing that we had been abandoned. At that moment, not only did I not share the same sentiment as her, I felt a selfish joy at having the playground all to ourselves as the crowd slowly dispersed. However, when our parents finally arrived, they showered my sister with an abundance of attention, comforting her tenderly. It struck me then that perhaps weaknesses, despite their drawbacks, come with some unexpected perks. 

In elementary school, an incident unfolded when a troublemaker decided to lock my sister up in a classroom after school, causing her to be late in reaching our parents’ car. Upon learning of this, I confronted the bully the following day.

“Why did you lock my sister up in the classroom?” I asked demandingly.

“So what? She’s such a crybaby. HA-HA!” he sneered. 

That was the tipping point. I seized him by the collar— yes, the boy who was one year older than me—my sister’s classmate, in front of the entire cafeteria. 

“I dare you to say that one more time!” I asserted, feeling a surge of anger and protectiveness. 

The cacophony of the cafeteria came to a halt, and time seemed to freeze. Soon, students started gathering around us, eager to witness the unfolding confrontation. In that moment, I wished I could have the strength of Superman to mete out a fitting lesson! 

However, my childhood imagination collided with reality as the boy towered over me, possessing greater physical strength. In response to my threat, he grasped my collar firmly. Anticipating defeat, I summoned my tears, crying as loudly as I could. 

This unexpected turn of events caught the poor boy off guard. He released me immediately, unsure of how to handle the unexpected turn of events. Then, he hastily offered to buy me lunch and vowed never to bother my sister ever again.

And just like that, the tense situation dissipated, leaving a lingering sense of relief and victory in its wake. 

That moment marked the first time I felt empowered despite my obvious chance of losing. I learned a powerful lesson that day: physical strength does not equal true power. True strength transcends physical capabilities alone; it’s about how we navigate and respond to challenges. 

Fast forward to when I was ten years old, a boy persistently followed me, declaring his feelings towards me as he did. Angered by his actions, I warned him to stop, as I threatened to lay hands on him if he continued. 

However, he persisted. 

Whack!

In a burst of frustration, I struck him in the stomach, causing him to wince and fall to the ground. Yet, in pain, the boy persisted in professing his affections. Enraged by his persistence, I lashed out physically at him again until a teacher intervened, holding me back. 

As I reflect on these less-than-ideal moments, I’m grateful that I did not possess superhuman strength. Otherwise, I may have made some grave, irreversible mistakes that I’d regret for the rest of my life. I came to understand that true strength lies in self-control and patience. 

Before encountering Jesus, I held a vague understanding of strength and still harbored a looming fear of weakness and judgment of society. I believed that weakness in any area would make me vulnerable to ridicule and worse off—scorned by society. 

Thus, I have always yearned for constant strength and power, believing that it would unlock the freedom to pursue my desires, to live life on my terms, pursuing my desires without inhibition. This was the life that I envisioned to lead when I was in college. Since I was raised with the belief that hard work leads to success, I have always admired those who rose from humble beginnings, overcame adversity, and achieved great success. I aspired to provide for my family with a life they had never experienced. In my eyes, true strength resided in financial independence and the freedom it afforded. 

Throughout various phases of my life, the notion of strength evolved, shifting from a desire for physical prowess to a quest for personal control over my life. However, one factor remained unchanged, and it had been my disdain for being bullied and for feeling powerless in any situation. 

In reality, unless we are blessed with supernatural strength akin to Superman or Samson, achieving such extraordinary strength requires rigorous physical training, discipline, and time. Even the strongest individuals on Earth had to devote countless hours in training to attain their peak physical condition. 

The human body serves as a profound teacher as it illustrates life’s lessons that extend far beyond the physical realm. For instance, muscle growth entails microscopic tears in muscle fibers—necessitating time for repair and regeneration. It is through this cycle of breakdown and rebuilding that muscles become stronger and more resilient. 

Therefore, when the mightiest figures in heroic tales experience moments of vulnerability, it underscores their humanity, demonstrating that weakness is an intrinsic aspect of strength. 

This reflection brings to mind a tale of a desperate man. Once upon a time, there lived a man (let’s call him Mr. A) who was afflicted by a debilitating cough. He was misty-eyed, and his frame small. Accompanied by skinny limbs and a pallid complexion, it signaled the approaching end of his life. Despite his condition, he was filled with hope as he sought the healing touch of Jesus. 

Alas, Jesus came to meet him as he prayed for healing. 

“I am willing,” Jesus said, “If you manage to fulfill this requirement...” 

“Yes, Jesus. I’d do anything to feel better again!” Mr. A was overjoyed to hear this. 

“Very well, my child. Do you see this huge boulder?” Jesus said as he pointed at the colossal structure in Mr. A’s backyard.  

“Yes, Jesus, I see it…” 

“Move it by your own strength without any help. When you accomplish this task, I will come to you again for further healing.” 

As days turned into weeks, Mr. A remained faithfully resolute in his endeavor to fulfill Jesus’ directive, despite the seemingly insurmountable challenge. Notwithstanding his frailty and failing physical condition, he approached the colossal rock with unwavering determination, striving tirelessly to move it with his own strength. With each passing day, he exerted himself, straining against the unmovable rock with all his might. 

Despite his immense efforts, the rock remained firmly rooted in its place. Mr. A, although faced with exhaustion and deep frustration, even sustaining minor injuries, persisted in his mission, refusing to abandon it. 

Throughout his arduous journey, Mr. A faced a myriad of reactions from those around him. Some passersby ridiculed him, deriding his efforts as foolish and futile, while others offered their assistance out of genuine kindness and concern, only to be politely declined by Mr. A as he was steadfast in his commitment to obeying Jesus’ directive on his own.  

Yet, as days stretched into weeks, the rock still remained unmoved. Doubts began to creep into Mr. A’s mind as there was no tangible process in moving the rock. He started questioning the validity of Jesus’ promise of healing as his confidence wavered. Gnawed at relentless frustration and confusion, he began to wonder if Jesus’ promise was truly genuine and what the purpose was behind this seemingly fruitless endeavor. 

Longing for reassurance, Mr. A reached out to Jesus in a moment of desperation, beseeching for a sign of response as he pleaded for clarity and reassurance. 

“Jesus, could you please give me a sign? Please let me know if I’m doing it right, at least?” 

There was no response. 

“Jesus, could you please help me move this boulder? It is impossible for me to do so! I am so weak, and I’m exhausted.” 

Still, there was radio silence. 

As his cries were left unanswered, Mr. A felt abandoned and disillusioned as he grappled with the silence of his Savior along with feelings of betrayal and disappointment. Bewildered, he struggled to reconcile his faith with the perceived silence of Jesus despite his unwavering obedience as he questioned the very foundation of his faith and the intentions behind Jesus’ seemingly impossible task. 

“My Lord, I have done everything that you asked. Yet, with this body of mine, I do not think it’s possible for me to do this anymore. I can’t move this rock. How do I receive healing? ” 

It was then he heard the voice of Jesus clearly.

“My child, have you looked at yourself lately?”

In that moment, Mr. A realized that he had been so consumed with the task of moving the boulder that he had neglected to assess his own condition for months. As he looked at his reflection, he saw a transformation— a stranger who resembled him but in a better shape. The months of strenuous effort had sculpted his body, strengthening his once feeble limbs. His arms and legs were no longer thin as twigs, and he was astonished by the change. He felt healthier, more agile, and realized he was no longer sick. 

“My child, I did not intend to move this boulder on your behalf. While you labored to move it, you grew stronger. That was my plan for your life—not to remove obstacles, but to make you stronger,” Jesus explained. 

In that moment of realization, Mr. A understood the purpose behind his efforts. Just as God doesn't always answer prayers in the way that we expect, He has a purpose beyond our understanding. Despite the initial confusion and frustration, Mr. A persevered, placing his trust in Jesus even when it seemed impossible to succeed alone. 

This story resonated deeply with me, evoking memories of my own struggles and unanswered prayers. Like Mr. A, I, too, had grappled with disappointment and frustration when the outcome did not come as expected. I had attempted to handle my problems alone, convinced by my own strength, only to be met with disappointment when reality did not align with my expectations. 

I found myself longing for “Praise the Lord” moments in church rather than “Please pray for me” moments. I longed to sing praises to God when I triumphed over challenges through Christ victoriously. However, I faced a significant hurdle—I was too prideful and too impatient. I needed to learn a lesson in humility. My type-A personality led me to believe that I was invincible and that I could handle any problem that came my way on my own. But I had to come to terms with the fact that I wasn’t the strongest person alive, and I couldn’t always be on top of the world. 

If there was any character in the Bible who embodies type-A personalities, it would have to be Paul. Reflecting on his life, Paul’s type-A personality was clearly displayed in his organizational abilities, strategic thinking, and his high expectations and standards for himself and others. He demonstrated strong leadership skills, possessing traits like determination, ambition, and an unwavering commitment to his goals and beliefs, even when he was initially misguided in his convictions. Before meeting Jesus, he held a prestigious background as a Sadducee and Pharisee, fervently persecuting Christians, whom he viewed as a threat to the Jewish faith. When he zealously pursued and imprisoned many followers of Jesus, he believed that he was upholding the Jewish traditions and laws he held dear. Paul, in his mind, was merely protecting the integrity of Judaism by rooting out Christians whom he viewed as heretics. 

However, his actions were driven by a misguided understanding and a lack of awareness of the true nature of Jesus’ teachings. His encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus served as a pivotal moment as it transformed his life entirely. This incident thoroughly shattered his misconceptions as it completely shifted his worldview and his identity. Although he was struck blind for three days, his eyes were opened to the reality of who Jesus truly was, leading him to abandon his old ways and embrace Christianity wholeheartedly, dedicating his life to spreading the gospel message. In his letters, Paul recognized his past as he called himself “the chief of sinners” due to his past actions towards his fellow brethren. This serves as a powerful example of how God works mysteriously in our lives.  

Paul’s encounter with Jesus faced some repercussions as Paul was struck with vision impairment—he had to seek help to write letters to churches and pen down his missionary journey. Such an experience would likely render him frustrated as he described this condition as a “thorn in his flesh,” for he beseeched Jesus to take it from him three times. Even when Jesus did not answer his prayer,  Paul embraced his condition as a means through which God could demonstrate His power and grace. I could only imagine that with his growing frustrations with his inability to see properly, he would be constantly reminded of the very day that he met Jesus face to face. Then, he would be encouraged and hopeful as he drew strength from the One who changed his life completely. Instead of feeling bitter and hopeless, Paul found solace through his faith and knowledge in God that His plan was ultimately for Paul’s good, even if it seemed counterintuitive or difficult to understand. Just like the story of Mr. A, Paul decided to trust in God even though he did not understand His purpose. Moreover, he recognized that his weakness, symbolized by his impaired sight, became a source of strength when he surrendered to God. 

In contrast to other biblical figures who faltered when relying too heavily on their own abilities and understanding, Paul remained steadfast in his faith and humility. He understood that true strength came from God alone, and in his weakness, he could be made strong in God—Paul was willing to endure his physical limitations even if it meant glorifying God and serving His purposes all his life. 

Paul’s example challenges me to reevaluate my perspective of strength and weakness. It serves as an encouragement to embrace my own vulnerabilities as I trust in God to work through them in His might and power. Like Paul, we are called to walk by faith and not by sight—though we cannot see the path ahead clearly, we fully know that Jesus is guiding us with His gentle and unwavering love even when we do not hear from Him immediately.  Although, each of us possesses our own weaknesses, akin to personal “kryptonites," when surrendered to Jesus, they, too, can be transformed into strengths with His assistance and guidance. Indeed, there is beauty in our “kryptonite” when we allow Jesus into the equation as He molds and shapes us in our weaknesses according to His purpose.