Superman is strong and powerful – always ready to rise to the occasion and come through for others. And this is who we are – offering our unique strength to bring life and goodness into the world around us. But Superman is also Clark Kent, and there’s a time for us to take off our cape to be the just mundane, unheroic, and imperfect man needed to build intimate relationships with others.
For instance, there’s a sense in which being a doctor, lawyer, counselor, preacher, or the like is not just a job but also an identity. It’s who we are and this identity shapes all our relationships. Naturally, the home of a doctor will be blessed by his many medical insights, while many deep theological insights will likely grace the home of a preacher. When our work is an overflow of our calling and identity, then Superman is simply who we are; it’s a way of being and not something we can merely just leave at the office.
At the same time, Superman is not needed in every situation. There’s a time to be Clark Kent. And it’s as Clark that we can form our most meaningful and lasting relationships. Superman is always “on” in serving others, but this means he’s also not in a position to receive love from others. His relationships become one-sided.
And this is true for us as well when we feel we must always be the hero who comes through for others. For example, there’s a difference between offering our gifts to our family and friends, and being the one who must save them in every situation. A hero complex is fueled by pride, which treats others like a project and keeps them at a distance. And this is why many otherwise great men miss the mark on the home front; they never learned when to take the cape off to just be with others without the need to be the hero.
In the end, there’s no need to deny your strength or calling. You are Superman. But humility and wisdom also remind us that we’re Clark Kent. Learn when to take off your cape to simply be Clark, as this opens the door for a deeper sense of love and belonging in all your relationships.
