Redemption is Possible: 5 Lessons We Learn from Loki

Dec 10

Written By Meredith Shuman | Trauma-informed care trainer, Mom

In case you missed it, Loki was a big hit in summer 2021 from Disney Plus. If you follow the Marvel universe, you know that Loki is the adopted younger brother of the mythical god, Thor. While not big and strong like his brother, Loki’s power is his clever and cunning plans. In this series, he is faced with some difficult choices. We begin to see behind the mask of this villain and see there is more complexity to Loki’s character than first imagined.

1. Big brother may be a god, but you can still stand on your own two feet.

Loki was always in Thor’s shadow. Second born. Weaker. Adopted. So, from an early age he learned to use his mind, his tricks, his clever-ness…to manipulate the world around him. In the Loki series, we see more depth of his character - and through the trials - away from big brother - we see a…dare I say it…hero emerge. We see a hero that the universe/multi-verse desperately needed.

Ever heard of James? Brother of Jesus? Wrote the book of James in the Bible? Yep, history tells us that James didn’t even believe that Jesus was the Messiah, and yet, after Jesus’ resurrection - James became the leader of the church in Jerusalem. That’s a pretty big deal. James is a great example of: “Sure, my big brother is the Son of God, but I still have a purpose on this planet. I will stop comparing and just step into the shoes - or sandals -that my Father in heaven has for me.”

Anybody have an older sibling who is an Enneagram 1 or 2? They always seem to be rational, motivated, hard-working, and perfectionistic? Lord, help us to stop comparing ourselves to our high-achieving sibs, and step into what You have for us!

2. Being adopted doesn’t mean you have lost your place in this world.

It actually means, you’ve found it. Being adopted means I’m different, but chosen. Foster and adopted kids do not accidentally land in a family. You are seen by God, and seen by your parents, and you have a purpose. It may take time and maturity - like it did for Loki - for you to realize all that God has for you in this world…but that’s okay. Big plans take time to unfold.

For more content on how James Trail leans into this, please see our FAQ here.

3. Fall in love with yourself.

Remember how the Loki we know and love, over time, falls in love with Sylvie (the female-alternate-reality-version of himself)? Yeah, it’s weird, if you think about it for too long, lol…but there’s some truth there to glean. What is your creative gift? Do you nurture it and work to grow it? When you do, you are loving yourself well. Do you have relationships that are life-giving? Ones that draw you to the Savior? When we invest in those relationships, we are loving ourselves well - because those relationships are good for us. Do we take time to care for ourselves? Think: less Netflix binging, and more long walks with God. When we do, we are loving ourselves well.

Yes, like Loki, we might fight about whether we want to love ourselves. Yet, in the end, working at loving ourselves just might save the world.

4. Embrace the different versions of yourself.

During the series, Loki met and formed unity with many different versions of himself. I have a confession. I have to admit it. I don’t act the same around everyone. As an adoptive mom and as a part of James Trail, I am different when I am speaking in front of a group of foster/adoptive parents, than I am with a mixed group.

I am not the same “Meredith” around my friends in other countries , because I want to be sensitive to their cultural context. This is partially because my brain is working overtime to understand their language, lol. Paul discussed this concept of embracing all sides of yourself in I Corinthians 9:22. (See also Acts 17:23-31) He adjusted his approach to different people, based on their culture and their knowledge of God. “…I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.” Paul - and Loki - teaches me that it is normal…even good…to embrace the versions of myself as I seek to connect with others to build unity…and community among our differences.

5. Redemption and victory can be found in this time. In this world.

All the Lokis crossed through the universes and multiverses to save and redeem that which was lost. Our Messiah crossed from heaven to earth (the most sacrificial jump of all) to save us all. He bled and died on a cross...and then He crossed over from the tomb to the eternal so that we would know victory. Redeeming hard stories is our Lord’s speciality. In Loki of Asgard, we learn that there was a hero inside. In Christ our Savior, we learn of the Spirit inside. Victory is possible, and redemption is near.

I suspect one reason Loki was such a hit last summer is that we see some of ourselves in Loki’s schemes. We might not carry through with all the dark plans that Loki does, but our hearts privately want to, at times. The good news here is that we do have a Savior. He sees the dark corners of our hearts, and stands ready to redeem us anyway. We don’t have to earn our place in this world. Jesus has already paid the price for it. “God in his holy dwelling is a father of the fatherless…God provides homes for those who are deserted.” Psalms 68: 5a, 6a Often, the home that God provides, is the community of people who understand what we are going through. And that is something we can all marvel at…being at home, redeemed.