How would you define a hero? We think about a hero as someone who is bigger than life, always up front doing things. We think heroes are people big and strong, who fight the bad guys and win. Or we think of superheroes – awesome, fighting machines, saving people.
But God often chooses heroes and leaders who are not necessarily big or strong. He often chooses people that others may overlook to lead and do mighty exploits for Him.
“Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were powerful; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly and despised things of the world, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are,…” (1 Corinthians 1:27)
A hero is someone who dares to do the hard things, to go to the hard places, who is consistent and can be depended on. A hero is someone who will give and sacrifice for others.
Maybe you can look at your own life and you quickly recognize the heroes. But sometimes a hero isn’t that obvious. Maybe it is someone praying for you, or someone who has given into your life in some way. These people rarely get recognized as heroes, mainly because they don’t do it for recognition. They just want to make a difference in whatever way they can. They are people who even when they are feeling weak step out with the measure of faith and courage they have, and be all they can be in whatever God sends their way.
Heroes are ordinary people like you and me. Maybe it’s the student or young person living his or her faith out in their place of education or work place, praying for their peers. Or the teacher who travels overseas on a mission trip, or stay’s up late at night preparing the next day’s lessons so as to bless their students.
It’s the Mum’s and Dad’s, and grandparents who put into their children and grandchildren’s lives, encouraging them to dream and believe God for big things. Who are always looking for ways to bless them. These are real life people. But they are heroes! These are the kind of people who are not afraid to live for Jesus.
Because a hero is someone who points to Jesus with everything they do. They carry Him in to every part of their lives. His light and life flows through them. They not only talk the talk, they walk the walk.
Our world needs heroes! It needs each one of us to stand up and be counted as a hero to someone. No matter how strong or smart we are. He can use small things, even when we may feel we are unimportant. He can use people just like you and me, if we trust Him.
“Those who know their God shall be strong and do exploits” (Daniel 11:32.)
“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” (John 14:12)
How can you point to Jesus with your own life? How can you live out your faith in your job, or school, or home? Heroes are ordinary people who know and walk with an extraordinary God. Be that “hero” and make a difference in someone’s life.
“When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13).
Prayer: Lord I thank you that you see me as significant. That when I am weak you are strong in me. That you have planned and prepared good works for me to walk in each day, that I will do exploits. In Jesus Name Amen.