You're My Hero

...looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher

of our faith, who for the joy that was set

before Him endured the cross, despising

the shame, and has sat down at the right

hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:2

What is a hero? A dictionary tells us that it's a person of distinguished courage or ability, admired for brave deeds but also noble qualities.

For us, in common language, a hero is someone who does above and beyond the call of duty for another, even to the point of risking one's life. A real hero wants no recognition and often may say, “I was only doing my job” or “I did what anyone else would do under the same circumstances.” Being a hero may not be that one risks their life. Someone of great character and integrity can also be regarded as a hero. In our day it takes real bravery to be a person of character before a fallen society. A hero is usually an ordinary person who did extraordinary things. Rarely is a hero a hero in his/her own eyes.

We saw real heroism the day of 9/11. There were those who risked their lives and even died helping others in those two tall buildings get to safety. I think of a young husband and father by the name of Todd Beamer, a passenger on United Air Flight 93 on that fateful day. He with others knowing the plan of terrorists who had taken over their plane, decided to take action rather than let the plane be driven into a major building in Washington, DC. The last words Todd's wife heard from him on her cell phone was his call to other passengers, “Let's roll.”

There was Captain Chesley Sullenberger, pilot, to was forced to land his passenger jet in the Hudson River. It was miraculous as we watched the event on television, seeing the passengers standing on the wings of that plane after an unbelievable “landing” atop that river. Sully, of course, was the last to leave the plane because of checking every seat for stray passengers. He's never wanted the title of “HERO.”

We've had heroes in the military. Those who stormed the beaches of Normandy. POW's who spent years in prisoner of war camps, enduring untold torture but true to their country. Ours is a military whose goal is to keep us safe and free.

A lady I have admired for years is Corrie ten Boom who also spent a long stretch of time in concentration camps and should have died but for the grace of God, was miraculously released. She traveled the world spreading the story of Jesus.

We started when very young establishing hero's and they changed regularly depending on our maturity levels. When very young, our heroes centered around family...dad, big brother, or uncle. For some reason, our heroes were usually men. As we got into school, perhaps a teacher was someone we looked to and admired with great enthusiasm. Into high school, the heroes were often athletes, youth pastor with some glances of admiration aimed at cheerleaders. In college, our heroes became a mix of all of the aforementioned but probably got whittled down to a handful of heroes who were just that and for the right reasons.

CAUTION!!!

I must alert you of one important thing....HEROES WILL LET YOU DOWN...WILL DISAPPOINT YOU IN THE WORST OF WAYS!

I have watched this process for years, especially in church settings. I have watched pastors who have achieved almost rock-star-prominence with their congregations. They have elevated themselves as ecclesiastical heroes of the faith who are never to be questioned because of their status. These can often be the most disappointing.

Other heroes in our lives sooner rather than later show in their behavior that they have feet of clay just like we do. Even if we look to the Bible and see there, great heroes of the faith, which so many were, we find that each one was a sinner. Something I love about Scripture is when God tells the stories of individuals, he doesn't leave out their “warts.” He then shows some wonderful redemptive processes that take place in those lives.

In the Bible, I have read of and admired folks like Moses, Esther, David, Abraham, and Peter among others. I have been encouraged by their lives lived but in some cases have admired as much the restoration process in their lives after going through a time of great sin. I see how in the case of those who really tripped up that God never gave up on them. I can't refer to them as heroes but I learn from them and appreciate the example they set for all of us.

In passing, may I suggest to you that each of us is a hero to someone. We may never know who is watching us or perhaps hanging on every word we speak when they are around us. All of this falls into the category of our bearing a strong testimony and witness for Christ in our every day living. Lives can be changed if others see Jesus in us.

Bottom line is that you and I have only one hero...Jesus. He will never disappoint us or let us down. He will never take us in the wrong direction. He will always be looking out for what is in our best interest. In fact, unlike most heroes, He will always love us with no strings attached. He always wants whatever is best for us. Unlike present or past heroes, He is near us everyday, every hour. I could list other things because He does so much more; however, the icing on the cake is that this Wonderful Hero of ours actually died for each one of us...He died that we might have life. I am blessed by the testimony of Jesus who became a common, ordinary human being, but my real hero in all of His humanity will always be my true Hero...a hero like no other.

Dear Father...Thank You for sending Jesus Who did and does so much for me. I thank You for others from whom I have learned vital lessons during this life of mine. Help me to keep my focus on Jesus and not on good but ordinary people. I love You, my Father of all Fathers. Amen.