Learning From The Maniacal Plankton

Plankton planning world domination...

"See how good your life can be when you're maniacal?!?!"

This wonderful quote was spoken screamed to Sponge Bob by the ever-scheming Plankton as he was trying to teach him to assert himself in the most villainous way.

Plankton is like a lot of us.  He just wants to take over the world via the Krabby Patty secret formula and yet most of the sea-dwelling citizens of Bikini Bottom don't even notice him.  Most people just step on him or walk right by completely unaware that Plankton is shouting maniacal threats of world domination to them from an altitude equivalent to their ankle height.

When one actually does hear his maniacal villainous rants, they just nonchalantly say "good luck with that" and go about their day.

I know what you're thinking.  "You are such a bad parent that you let your kids watch Sponge Bob!"

And maybe "What the heck does Plankton have to do with me?  I don't plan world domination or own a fast food joint called the Chum Bucket!"

And even a little of "How did he know that I secretly plot world domination?!"

Personally, I don't plan world domination.  I wouldn't mind being selected for Survivor at some point in the near future, but that's about as exciting as my plans for world domination get.

I also can't really relate to Plankton's miniscule size.  There's always been more of me to love.

His obsession with food?  That I do understand!

So where am I going with this?

First of all are you really sure you don't try to rule the world?

Really?  That's interesting because I could have sworn that most people spent their lives plotting and scheming about ruling the world.

Well, maybe you can relate to that whole part about Plankton not being taken seriously, being stepped on or being ignored and largely unseen by the world around him.

Why is that?

Why in the world do we live life being unseen, unheard, or feeling unappreciated and unaccomplished?  Why do we spend our time plotting and scheming for the Krabby Patty secret formula to no avail?

The Bible tells of the authority Jesus gave his followers in Luke Chapter 10 where Jesus sent out 72 of his closest followers to heal and restore folks, cast out demons, and share the Gospel of Christ in full power and authority to a world in need.  In Luke 10:17-20 we read:

17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name." 18 He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." 

So Jesus gives us "authority" and the "power" to overcome the enemy.  He even proclaims that nothing will harm us.

And yet we either refuse to believe and walk in that power or rejoice in the position and prestige without regard to the responsibility (hence his warning not to rejoice in the power, but that our names are written in heaven!)

Plankton's foolishness doesn't have to be ours.  We have authority and power but it's not for ourselves.  It's time we started living, walking, and talking like it!

In Compass Kids, our children's church program at True North, we began to talk about the virtue of initiative--seeing what needs to be done and doing it.  We looked at the life of Nehemiah and that crumbling wall and gate situation facing Jerusalem.

Nehemiah was not living in Jerusalem at the time.  And yet, he wept and prayed to the Lord about what to do.  He saw something that needed to be done and he did it.

In church, Pastor Jesse encouraged us to shatter the 80/20 rule of church.  Statistically 20% of the people in the church do 80% of the work.  God didn't call some of us, He called all of us.  You aren't given gifts and abilities to entertain yourself.  You have a purpose, and unlike Plankton it isn't world domination, but rather world deliverance.

Get in the game people!

There is so much to do.  Or as the Bible says "the harvest is plenty but the workers are few."  Open your eyes and look around!

Don't hide your light under a bowl.  Shine.  Serve.  Love.  Witness.

Don't rule the world.  Change it and let Him rule.