WE NEED OUR HEROES

I grew up in a world that still had heroes to look up to.  Their stories were read and then played out in the backyard with friends as we became Davy Crocket, Daniel Boone, Geronimo, Annie Oakley, and many more.  They taught us to have adventures in the wilderness, not to be afraid of it, or see it as a “cash cow”.  Then came space heroes, men and women who put themselves into rocket ships and went for a walk on the moon; sports heroes and music heroes that make their way to various Halls of Fame; military heroes who sacrificed and fought for our freedom, now have monuments to remind us to appreciate our freedom.  Even politics had heroes as anyone who lives or visits DC will see as larger than life.

Things are different now.  In our zealousness to be reasonable and factual the idea of heroes has all but disappeared.  Thanks to those who do their homework and looked beyond the stories our teachers told us, we discovered that these elevated heroes were people who, as Jimmy Buffett would say, “Are flawed individuals”.  Certainly we can’t elevate these flawed individuals to the rank of hero!  Besides, they’re people just like me.

I think that we need heroes in our lives; I know I benefited from them.  Maybe instead of defrocking our heroes we should redefine our concept of hero and what their role in our lives should be.

The Bible is packed full of heroes but is clear about one of them being perfect.  The Bible doesn’t hide the flaws of its heroes, it accents them.  The Bible heroes are indeed, people like me, flawed individuals.  That is what makes me want to know theses men and women better, learn from them and the ways they lived their lives, and overcame their adversities.

The Bible’s Hall of Fame is impressive and inspiring, well worth a visit.  Walking with God through the Bible is an adventure.  I have also found some friends who have walked the same road I am walking, people who have become heroes to me and found their way into my personal Hall of Fame.  It enriches my life and enhances my devotion to God, who works in the lives of all human beings, no matter how flawed they are.

It is a beautiful thing to be impacted in a special way by others.  There are many potential heroes in the Bible and in this life to look up to and learn from.  It is good to take time to remember them, honor them, and be inspired by them. 

QUERY

Who Are the Bible heroes you look up to?

Who are the people in your life you look up to?