Upon the recommendation of a housemate, I started watching a new anime series entitled, 'One Punch Man.' This is about a hero named Saitama who defeats his enemies with a single powerful punch.
Throughout the first season, we see him frustrated with the lack of worthy foes who can match his strength.
We also witness his journey up the ranks as he defeats one monster after another. Though undeniably the most powerful of all the heroes, he started at the bottom (Class C) for getting poor marks in the essay exams of the Hero Association.
Unlike other heroes, however, Saitama's unaffected by his rank. While others fight monsters to increase their popularity and rankings, he does so for the sheer passion of being a hero.
He has defeated several powerful enemies, saving millions of civilians and other heroes ranked much higher than he was.
Sadly, many people branded him a cheat because they couldn't believe that a Class C hero outperformed the elite Class S.
But amid the slander emerged Saitama's most admirable quality-- selflessness. In one episode, a vicious sea monster knocked out several Class S and A heroes after rampaging in a city.
Even Saitama's own disciple, Class S cyborg Genos, nearly died at the hands of this beast. But as expected, Saitama killed the monster with one punch.
At first, the people were in awe, then disbelief, finally contempt. One survivor even bashed the other heroes for being weaklings because a mere Class C outshined them!
Desiring to protect the other heroes from shame and feigning recognition, Saitama pretended that the monster became weak after fighting all the other heroes earlier.
He even acted arrogant just to divert the people's criticisms from the defeated heroes to himself. Saitama fueled the rumors that he cheated his way in the rankings by taking credit of other heroes' work.
Genos understood his master's motivation. He didn't care about his reputation. What's important is that the other heroes don't lose the people's trust.
Saitama didn't care about greatness as long as he can faithfully fulfill his duties at all costs.
This quality reminds me vividly of John 3:30. When Jesus' ministry began overshadowing John the Baptist's, the prophet only had one answer: "Jesus must become greater, I must become less."
As a minister, I always battle the temptation of fame and honor whenever great feats are accomplished in God's ministries.
I constantly remind myself that all glory and honor belong to God so I must always ask the Spirit to check my heart's motivations in all I do. False humility has no room in God's ministry, because everything is dependent on His grace.
The temptation of pride also rears its ugly head whenever my heart quietly demands recognition in the work I do, forgetting that I must please God not men.
Pride causes me to feel this entitlement when the fact is I should be doing my share of God's ministry out of love for Him. If I only run after the praises of men I am no different from the hypocritical religious leaders during Jesus' time.
They pray loudly and ensure that their good deeds are seen by everyone to gain people's admiration. In condemnation, Jesus said that the only reward they receive is the hollow praise of man. They do not have the affirmation of God.
The Lord reminded me that He alone is my audience as I dispense my calling as a Christian worker among students. False humility and pride do not sit well with God's grace.
Instead, all of my days, I should strive to please and serve my only Master, Lord and Savior-- Jesus Christ! How I long to hear Him say one day, "Well done my good and faithful servant..."
PS. I find it interesting that God reminded me these things using an anime! Truly, if we're sensitive to God's Spirit, we'll find Him speaking to us even in unconventional ways.
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