“You don’t have to have an ‘S’ on your chest if you have a savior in your heart.”—Dan Stanford
North American culture is saturated with the superhero motif. Why is that, and what hopes and needs is the pop culture superhero tapping into? Why do we flock to superhero stories, and what does it mean to embrace ordinary-ness as a better way to life?
Episode 52 of Spirituality for Ordinary people features an interview with Dan Stanford, author, and pastor of The Well Church in Kenosha, WI. Dan’s latest book is Losing the Cape: The Power of Ordinary in a World of Superheroes
The discussion in this episode is wide-ranging. Dan doesn’t advocate for simply a safe life, claiming we are made for adventure. He believes that God calls ordinary people to serve others in big and small ways. We aren’t waiting for a super-hero to save the day, nor are we superheroes with the burden of saving others.
Key Learnings
The people who are willing to do the little things that make the greatest difference over a period of time.
God’s got people all over the planet, so begin by making a difference where you are trusting that God has placed you where you are and placed others where they are. Comparison to others can be crippling. We must realize that we are stewards of what God has given us, so being where you are and with the resources you have.
Things to Think About
What are some of the ordinary ways of serving others that you might be called to?
Spiritual Practices Discussed in this Episode
Dan journals on a regular basis, usually starting with Scripture and spending time outside near Lake Michigan.
Their family usually asks a “strategic question” (e.g. what was the best thing that happened today?) for discussion over dinner and they spend time helping each other see God in their every day lives. He also actively looks for opportunities in everyday life to have conversations with his kids about God presence and activity.
Dan also spoke about the freedom to experiment with different ways of approaching his devotional life.
Links and Resources:
- Dan Stanford’s Website
- Losing the Cape: The Power of Ordinary in a World of Superheroes
- The Well Church
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