Let’s get Morphin!!! — Power Rangers

Last Sunday after church, we went out to eat with my daughter. I always struggle when deciding whether or not to go out to eat after church. My daughter is two and a half. Church ends about an hour and a half before nap time. So, there is a tight window that can turn a lovely afternoon into tantrum city with the quickness. Not to mention, that the church we are currently attending is about an hour from our house. The odds were not in our favor, but we decided to grab a bite to eat any way. After all, Gigi was with us and grandmas have some magical powers to make kids behave. So there we were, all sitting down after ordering trying to keep the little one occupied until the food comes. The waiter comes up to the table to see if we need anything else, and my daughter asks, “Is he a Power Ranger?” Of course, there is no doubt in my mind that this man is not a Power Ranger, but we just told her yes. So, for the rest of the meal she referred to him as Power Ranger. She asked if Power Ranger was coming back, where the power ranger went and so on. Eventually, we told the waiter that she thought he was a Power Ranger and he thought it was so cool. At the end of the meal, we got our receipt and he had drawn a Power Ranger’s helmet on it and said thanks little Ranger. Now, she’s a ranger too. She believed 100% without a doubt that that man was exactly who we said he was. Now, we are calling her something different, too. Her confidence and display of childlike faith made me wonder. What makes me so sure that he isn’t a power ranger? So I got to thinking. What is a power ranger any way, like what does it mean?

I have a pretty good idea of what power means, so let’s start with ranger. One definition that I found for ranger is one of a body of armed guards who patrol a region.

We are part of the body of Christ. So, we have the first part covered. After all , look at 1 Corinthians 12:12
“For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ.”

We are also armed and in a battle.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6:10-13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

This verse is basically what the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers is about. The plot is basically putting on the full armor of God, MORPHING, and fighting against enemies that are not of this world, RITA and all her weird bad guys. You probably need to watch an episode to understand that last part.

Now, to the last part of the definition. Instead of patrolling, let’s stick with being a guard or guarding. They are synonyms, so pretty much the same thing. The Bible gives us several verses about guarding.

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭4:23‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭13:23‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Now that I have convinced you that you are an armed ranger in the body of Christ going to battle against the unseen, while also patrolling or guarding your heart and mind. Let’s talk about power.

“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”
‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭1:7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭12:9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Our power is freely given to us from God through the Holy spirit. So, aren’t we all power rangers. I know I am. In fact, I am a yellow ranger. What color ranger are you?

This week, I am going to do better seeing the world through my daughters eyes. Taking God at his word and walking in childlike faith. My faith and my belief won’t do anything to change who God is, but it can completely change me.

It’s morphin time!!!