As I sat watching Spider-man:
Homecoming with my kids, I truly appreciated being able to watch it on Vid-Angel.
This newest iteration of everyone’s favorite web-slinger contains more foul
language and suggestive themes than previous Spider-man movies, including a nonchalant
reference to pornography and a (almost) F-bomb from Aunt May, of all people!
Despite these failings (which disappear thanks to
Vid-Angel), Spider-man: Homecoming
does tell a heartwarming story with some significant spiritual value.
The movie picks up where Captain
America: Civil War ended. Peter feels special after receiving his
spider-suit from Tony Stark and being chosen to help the Avengers with their internal
conflict. In the wake of those prestigious events, however, Peter occupies
himself with lower-profile acts of heroism. He thwarts a thief trying to steal
a bicycle, bungles an attempt to stop an ATM burglary, and even gives
directions to an elderly woman lost in Queens. All the while, Peter anxiously awaits a call
from Tony to join the big leagues. “I feel like I could be doing more,” Peter
complains. “I’m just curious when my
next real mission is going to be.”
Surely, Peter Parker isn’t the only one to feel
insignificant, as if the little things we do simply don’t matter. As a pastor
for a small rural church, I can certainly relate. When I hear stories of rapidly-growing
congregations or visit some mega-church, it’s easy to feel like my “small”
ministry is insignificant and unsatisfying. Perhaps you feel the same way about
your ministry, career or lot in life. The truth is, though—the little things
really do matter. Jesus once said, “If you are faithful in little things, you
will be faithful in large ones” (Luke 6:10 NLT). He also compares the Kingdom
of Heaven to “a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. Yet
when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such
big branches that the birds can perch in its shade” (Mark 4:31-32 NLT).
At the end of the movie, Peter gets his wish. Tony Stark
offers him a brand-new suit and a place on the Avengers’ roster. But by now
Peter has discovered that the little things he does make a big difference. He
tells Tony, “I’m good. I’d rather just stay on the ground for a little. Just a
friendly neighborhood Spider-man. Somebody’s got to look after the little guy,
right?”
Like Peter, I believe God wants each of us to “bloom where
we’re planted.” Even if your life doesn’t seem grand or glamorous, what you do
matters because it matters to God.
