By Guest Writer: C.L. Shoemaker
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” - Hebrews 11:1
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In Marvel’s film Captain America Steve Rogers, an army hopeful during WWII, is consistently rejected when enlisting due to his medical issues. Desperate to serve his country, he jumps at a chance to test a new super soldier serum. Yet, when the lead scientist on Project Rebirth is assassinated, and the only serum destroyed, Steve remains the project’s sole success. Relegated to selling war bonds and promoting the American troops, Rogers is dejected at his inability to make a difference. He has superhuman strength, intelligence and agility yet, he’s reduced to a performing puppet for the army instead of fighting on the front lines.
It isn’t until Steve befriends Agent Peggy Carter that he is challenged to think beyond the identity imposed on him. After watching Steve’s USO show for the surviving members of the 107th Peggy sees through his façade and questions his role as “America’s new hope” asking, are “these are your only two options? A lab rat or a dancing monkey? You were meant for more than this you know.” Peggy has faith that Steve can be better because at heart he is a good man. She isn’t counting on his super soldier abilities (speed, agility, strength). She knows what makes Steve special is his character and his heart. He may have changed physically but internally, he’s still the same, good man, and he needs to see his value. Peggy sees his potential and his ability to have a higher purpose. She understands his desire to use his gifts to do good and help. While others have mocked Steve as a glorified chorus girl, Peggy knows that he was chosen for a greater purpose. He only needs to see it and step out in faith.
It isn’t until Steve learns that his best friend, Sgt. Bucky Barnes and his squadron were captured that Steve decides to take action. He will no longer hide behind his shield, but he will use it as a weapon to protect others. Despite assumptions that Barnes is dead, Steve has faith that his friend is alive. Steve believes he can make a difference even as Peggy, his previous cheerleader, protests,
Peggy: “You heard the Colonel. Your friend is most likely dead.”
Steve: “You don’t know that.”
Peggy: “Even so, [the Colonel’s] devising a strategy.”
Steve: “By the time he does that it could be too late.”
Spurred on by the knowledge of men captured behind enemy lines, Steve grabs his shield, a leather jacket and prepares to steal an army jeep. Before leaving he turns to Peggy, who has followed him with protests, and asks if she still believes in him:
Steve: “You told me you thought I was meant for more than this.
Did you mean that?”
Peggy: [without a pause] “Every word.”
Steve: “Then you gotta let me go.”
On the encouragement of one woman and a threat to his friend’s life, Steve changes from a man trapped by circumstance and without purpose to a man driven by faith towards a life changing goal. There is no proof that Bucky is still alive and no scientific data that claims Steve will be able to rescue anyone, but he believes he can achieve, and he is willing to act on that faith. He also listens to Peggy’s advice, that he was created for more and embraces the knowledge that perhaps he was made “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14). If anyone has the abilities, strength and knowledge to save the 107th it’s Steve Rogers, a superpowered super soldier with an “I can do this all day” attitude. Steve is self-sacrificial and willing to put others first even risking his own life. It is this goodness and sacrifice that earned Steve the coveted spot in Project Rebirth (the super soldier program).
Working with Agent Carter and Howard Stark to pilot a plane, Steve is dead dropped into the middle of enemy territory and then there is silence … for days. When we next see Peggy Carter she is bringing the Colonel images from the last surveillance flight. There is nothing to report. Steve has disappeared. While she is berated for her actions and blamed for the death of Captain America and the lost 107th, Peggy’s response is simple. Faith. She had and still has faith in Steve Rogers. She believes he is meant to do great things and that he will come back. When everyone else has given up hope, Peggy’s faith still endures.
Peggy: “With respect sir, I don’t regret my actions and I don’t think Captain Rogers did either”
Col. Phillips: “I took a chance with you Agent Carter and now America’s golden boy and a lot of other good men are dead because you had a crush.”
Peggy: “It wasn’t that. I had faith”
Col. Phillips: “Well I hope that’s a big comfort to you when they shut this division down.”
At that moment a commotion occurs as soldiers run from their tents to see Captain America and the rescued 107th march into the camp. Some are injured, others healthy enough to walk while some ride on an army tank. Col. Phillips looks over at Peggy and says two words, “Faith, huh?”
It only took one person to see the potential in Steve Rogers after Project Rebirth was shut down and he was delegated to war bond duty. Agent Carter knew Steve’s true value was in his strong character and heart, and she helped him to see his role, as the man he longed to be and the hero he wanted to become. The serum enhanced Steve’s abilities, but it was a woman of faith who helped Steve Rogers take his first step as Captain America.
Believers could learn a lot from Agent Carter's faith. Scripture says, "The righteous will live by faith" (Romans 1:17). Just as Peggy had faith in Steve's ability to become a hero and rescue his fellow soldiers, let us have faith in our heavenly Hero, Jesus Christ, who rescues the captives, heals the broken hearted and saves the day!
