Readers of my blog know that I’m a diehard Smallville fan. Last night, I watched Season 1, Episode 11, Hug. I won’t really tell what the episode is about in case some haven’t seen it and because it’s my favorite episode in Season 1. I think those not familiar with the series can still see the beginning of this episode and discern some of what is going on. YouTube, fortunately, has the beginning.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=wdiTL89HXsU
This beginning always strikes me as interesting. Naturally, after the words “I’m going to Smallville”, the scene goes into the opening with the theme song of “Somebody Save Me.” I kind of like the way the villain is so nonchalant in what he’s doing. He knows what’s going to happen and when it does, he’s ready with his plans.
There’s something else I consider though. There’s one thing I really like about this theme song in conjunction with this episode. I like it in every episode, but it seems most poignant in this one. What we end is with this tycoon thinking that he’s going to go and have his way in this town and increase his business empire.
Fans though know what the villain doesn’t. Clark Kent is there. I can rest easy at the start of the show because I know that Clark will show up and the story might seem grim at times and maybe there will even be casualties, but I’m not afraid ultimately. I can get anxious and wonder what’s going on and wonder if the writers know what they’re doing, but I know the truth. Clark wins in the end.
This is something the villain definitely doesn’t. He may have a unique power, but he doesn’t realize that there’s a greater power working there. He doesn’t realize that he can’t go around doing what he’s doing and expecting that no one’s going to stop him. That power is there and it does stop him of course. The story ends happily. (And if you watch the episode, the last scene is quite humorous for Superman fans.)
Some of you have already drawn out the parallel by now and it’s one you and I need to learn in our own lives. I can sit down and watch my favorite show and while I get tense, no matter what happens, I know that in the end, the good guy is going to win. I may see suffering and casualties and losses, but it doesn’t bother me entirely. Sure. I grieved when Jonathan Kent died and still miss him, but I know even that has been used for good.
So easy to do for a TV show. So hard to do for real life.
And yet, it should be easier! Our God is bigger than Superman is. Our God is a better writer of a story than the Smallville writers are. Certainly, our God has far more capability than anyone does. Also, no other villain can begin to even have a chance in a fight against God. He has no kryptonite.
Why don’t I?
Because I’m me. I don’t think God’s got it all under control a lot of times. It’s easy to look at my world and get confused, especially in our day when we’re all jumbles of feelings. We’re so centered on ourselves that if the world isn’t going great for us, well God isn’t doing his job.
Newsflash: God’s job is not to make you happy. Your temporary happiness is not God’s concern. Oh you will have eternal happiness if you follow him, but he’s willing to allow some temporary misery if it will get you to that point. Why should this surprise us? Even Clark Kent has suffering and we don’t look and say “Ha! The writers are fools!” No. We see in this and any other show that the writers allow suffering for a good purpose.
What do I recommend then? We simply need to trust. We’re told to do so and we’re admonished when we don’t show proper faith in Christ. Trust in God is not an option for the Christian life. It’s a necessity. If I can trust my favorite show to turn out well when I don’t even know the authors, how much more can I trust reality to the best author of all?
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