I Was Made For This!

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).

 God has a purpose and plan for each one of us. Like Bruce Banner, you may not be aware of your purpose at first. But, if you will seek God and search the Scriptures, then you’ll discover God’s purpose and plan for your life and you’ll be able to join Hulk in saying, “I was made for this.”



This post is an excerpt from my latest book, Endgame: Finding God Among Earth's Mightest Heroes, available on Amazon!