It Is The Question That Drives Us

What is the power of the Saiyan? Why does it draw men? I don’t know about you, but I get a thrill when Goku or Vegeta or Gohan power up to Supersaiyan – especially when Goku powers up to Super Saiyan 3! The raw power is tremendous! And let’s not talk about the fight scenes against Majin Buu or Brolly!

But I just had a realization about a major draw – if not THE major draw of the series. It’s a deep-seated urge that most of us men may not even realize unless we take the time to think about it: it is an epic saga about Fathers and Sons . It’s a story about Mentorship .

The Power of A Father

Look at Goku. What father do you know is as relentless as him? He fights for his sons! He goes out of his way to train them – to make sure they have the tools to succeed in life. And he’s not afraid to have fun with them on an intimate level. In many cases he’s a big kid – or rather, he’s retained a heart of a child .

This reminds me of what Jesus says about how to get into the kingdom of heaven. He talks to a group of adults and draws attention to a child, “Unless you have a heart as a child, you will not enter the kingdom of Heaven.” Adults have a tendency to act like know it alls. We tend to be more pessimistic about life situations; we’re less likely to trust others because we’ve been hurt in the past. But children have an amazing resiliency! They have an ability to believe great things can happen and that anything is possible. They tend to believe what others tell them and like to jump off things, trusting that us adults will catch them. They are also inquisitive, and like to ask a lot of questions.

A Child-Like Heart?

There are children and teenagers who have done more with their lives than most adults I know! As a child grows to adulthood, the major fight of their life is to keep themselves pliable to the wonders of life and retain their child-like heart; not the foolishness and mischief, but the ability to believe and be in awe of creation. These are the people who are busy getting things done while others say ‘it can’t be done.’

In retaining a child-like heart, it’s easier to believe that amazing things can happen, despite what external circumstances try to dictate. And when you can take a child-like heart and point it towards Christ… then truly anything is possible.

So Goku has a child-like heart, one that loves to have fun and be generous to others. While Vegeta is busy trying to look out for himself and his interests, Goku is busy looking out for others and their interests. In the process, his interests are attained. Also, over time, as Vegeta begins to work through his pride issues, he learns from Goku. Goku becomes Vegeta’s mentor who leads by example and draws, out of Vegeta, the compassion he doesn’t even know is there – which lends to Vegeta’s true strength - love and compassion are always greater than pride and hate.

A Father’s Fierceness

Nowhere is Goku’s tenacity more evident than when his sons are in battle. Goku’s smile goes away as he becomes fiercely determined to come to their aid. This reminds me of Ecclesiastes 3, in the Bible, where it says, “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven… a time to kill and a time to heal… a time to weep and a time to laugh… a time to mourn and a time to dance… a time to love and a time to hate, a time of war and a time of peace.” Goku definitely knows what time it is!

I want a loving father who will fight for me so that I can become the man I’m supposed to be.

Dragon Ball Z draws us because we want a father who will fight for us, who will take the time to train and mentor us, who will laugh and play with us, who will make provisions for us, who will teach us how to give and show us the wonders of creation, who will help us stay focused on what truly matters – love, life, family and destiny.

The Ultimate Father…

Perhaps you didn’t have a father who was there for you. Perhaps you had a father who was present, but had his own issues that prevented him from being effective in his relationship with you. Perhaps you have a great father and can’t think of any way to improve your relationship with him. Perhaps you don’t even know your father.

All males yearn for the love of their fathers. I submit to you that in the character of Goku, we see a fictional example which (intentionally or unintentionally) points to our Ultimate Father… God. God says in His Word, “When your mother or father forsake you, I will bear you up.” “I the LORD teaches you how to profit and I show you the way that you should go.” “For God so loved the world, that whoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life.” God’s love is relentless and fierce.

Let me know what you think.

-Allen Paul Weaver III-

If you haven’t read Part One, then click here: The Power of a Saiyan: Part One

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Filed under: Reviews • Risks and Opportunities • Sociology • Spirituality • comic book ideology

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