During a pivotal scene in Avengers: Endgame, Hulk delivers one of the most profound and
powerful lines of the movie. After successfully gathering all of the Infinity
Stones and returning to their own time, a brief argument breaks out over who
will wear the Infinity Gauntlet and undo the death and destruction wrought by
Thanos. Thor insists on being the one, saying, “I’m the strongest Avenger,
okay. So, this responsibility falls upon me.” When Tony objects, Thor persists,
“What do you think is coursing through my veins right now? Lightning!” That’s
when Hulk steps in, saying, “Lightning won’t help you, pal. It’s got to be me.
You saw what those stones did to Thanos. They almost killed him. None of you
could survive… The radiation is mostly gamma. It’s like… I was made for this.” In
that moment, Hulk recognized a preordained, perhaps even divine, purpose to his
life. He didn’t always recognize his purpose, though.
Way back in the first Avengers movie, Tony and Bruce have a conversation
about Bruce’s hatred of the Hulk. Tony says, “Hey, I’ve read all about your
accident. That much gamma exposure should have killed you.” Bruce replies, “So
you're saying that the Hulk... the other guy... saved my life? That's nice.
It's a nice sentiment. Saved it for what?” Tony smirks and says, “I guess we'll
find out.” Seven years and several movies later, Bruce finally found out what
he was saved to do. He discovered his purpose.
Have you discovered yours? Like Bruce Banner, you and I were created for
a purpose and saved for a purpose. Pastor and author, Rick Warren, writes, “The
purpose of your life is far greater than your own personal fulfillment, your
peace of mind, or even your happiness. It’s far greater than your family, your
career, or even your dreams and ambitions. If you want to know why you were
placed on this planet, you must begin with God. You were born by his purpose
and for his purpose.”
Scripture continually confirms this claim. God told the displaced people
of Israel, “For I know the plans I have for you…plans to prosper you and not to
harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV). Likewise,
the New Testament assures Christian, “And we know that God causes everything to
work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to
his purpose for them” (Romans 8:28 NLT). And, similarly, “For we are God’s
masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good
things he planned for us long ago” (Ephesians 2:10 NLT).
This post is an excerpt from my latest book, Endgame: Finding God Among Earth's Mightest Heroes, available on Amazon!
