How To Avoid Disintegration

She was the first female speedster on The Flash. I wanted her to be amazing. I wanted her to be strong and good and sassy and powerful.

She disintegrated.

Not exactly the ending I was hoping for as I caught up on one of my favorite shows. I’ve developed a love for comic book characters and shows lately. Something about the constant battle between right and wrong, good and evil, and knowing that somehow even the most complex and messed up heroes always win draws me back over and over. We’ll talk about how much I cried at the “spy’s goodbye” in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. in a different post.

Back to our speedster.

There was so much I wanted her character to be. So many expectations. And she was a complicated mix of it all, and I saw too much of myself in her. In her day-to-day life she was smart and motivated and kind. But she was lured by power and a bit of fame. Her desire to be the best caused her to hurt others and, ultimately,  herself.

I hate to think I’m like that, but I have to admit that I have been – that I can be. The tiniest bit of success can quickly cause me to consider all the steps I need to take to do more, do better, be the best. We’re not meant to be famous. Not the way culture puts celebrities and authors and speakers and musicians on pedestals. We’re meant to make God famous. 

And the side of my God-given personality that ranks “responsibility” as my number 1 strength in Strengths Finders struggles to move the pendulum away from my own kingdom and toward the one God wants me to build for Him. I have all the ideas, I’m constantly creating, and I love the idea of hustle. But unless we’re ready to work ourselves into a disintegrated state of mind and soul, we need to hustle for the right things.

The holy things.

Because God didn’t create us to “Netflix and chill” but to get busy doing good work for God’s kingdom on earth. When we hustle and strive to fill our lives with the things of this world we run the risk of burning ourselves out with a never-ending desire for more. More power, more success, more fame, more recognition.

But when we use the skills and talents that God has given us to do the work He has called us to do, we don’t strive – we thrive. We earn the ultimate recognition from the Father – “Well done, good and faithful servant.” And we give the credit and glory and fame where it’s due and away from ourselves.

Let’s chase God’s best for our lives instead of being the best. Because disintegrating didn’t look all that fun.