The Gospel According to Batman

An excerpt the book Stop Googling Yourself, Finding Peace in a Noisy World

One of my favorite aspects of a growing relationship with Jesus is the ability to see Him everywhere even in the movies I watch. One day, I was watching Batman Begins with my son, and one phrase from the movie grabbed hold of me. I believe it empowered me.

These are the words of Rachel to Bruce Wayne after he tells her that he was a good person on the inside. Keep in mind, he says these words as he’s leaving a restaurant with two beautiful women, one on each arm. “[Bruce] It isn’t what is inside you, it is your actions that define you.”

How easy it is to say we are good people on the inside, but in reality, what matters most are the actions we take, for our actions are what truly define what is in our hearts.

The Bible says in Luke 6:43–45,

For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit; for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thorns, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good man out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil man out of his evil treasure produces evil; for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

Our words and our actions define us. They define our faith and our beliefs. They tell the world what is growing in our heart. We may use obscene language and say it was a slip up. We may look at inappropriate material and say we fell into sin. We may steal from our employers and say it was a small thing. But the Bible says, “Out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.” Out of our overflow, we speak, and as we speak, we also act.

I admit, I am not a perfect man. I struggle. I struggle as a husband, father, and business man. Because I struggle, I ask my Father to examine my heart daily. I ask Him to reveal to me where I need to change. I then ask for strength and guidance to change. Because as a man, I have no power to change others. I only have the ability with God’s grace to change myself. But in the act of changing myself, the world around me can also be changed.

 Reflection

Who have you tried to change in the past? Your husband, wife, kids, friends? Were you successful? Who has tried to change you? Were they successful? Look at your life, and write down one area that needs to be changed and try focusing your energy on yourself, and “Be the change you want to see in the world” (Mahatma Gandhi).

Verse to ponder

Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go learn what this means, “I desire mercy, and not sacrifices.” For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners. (Matt. 9:12–13) 

Prayer

Dear Jesus, help me see where my ways do not align with your ways, and “create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me” (Ps. 51:10). In Jesus’ name, amen!