Weekly Thought – December 10, 2013
Fred revered reality. He advised others to “stay current.” When considering heroes, his principle held, as well. He didn’t expect perfection from those whose lives he considered heroic. He admired men like Lincoln, DaVinci, Edison, and the apostle Paul. He identified their key character traits and understood their frailties.
The year is closing. As you give, would you consider BWF? Your tax deductible gift is necessary to grow the ministry, allowing us to expand Fred’s reach and impact. Your encouragement through emails, calls, and donations “stimulate us to love and good works.” Thank you so much.
Heroes Are Real People
Every generation contributes to the list of heroes. Every age selects those whose lives reflect heroism. Heroes inspire us and show us the heights to which the human spirit is capable. In looking up, we are drawn upwards.
It takes times to correctly identify one. We are better to use those with heroic qualities to remain models until a generation has passed. True heroes arise in retrospect. Looking back, not glancing around, is the test. Will Rogers put it this way, “Being a hero is about the shortest-lived profession on earth.” Genuine heroes finish well, so tapping one in mid-life is premature.
Our society seems intent on “demythologizing” our stories of valor. It is popular to deconstruct the men and women of history, casting a shadow over the lives of those we greatly admire. The striving for a common ground on which no one ascends higher than another kills our vision. These social experimenters want to create a way to bring our heroes down by “telling on them.”
The greatest defense against this tactic is to understand the clay feet of any and all heroes, except for Jesus Christ. All of us are formed of clay and iron. I told our daughter once we differ on the evaluation of people because I am drawn magnetically to the iron in a person and she is demagnetized and put off by their clay.
There is no need to assume perfection in our heroes. When we do, we become vulnerable to those who expose their weaknesses and try to demean and negate their value. It is key to remember our heroes personify a value and the human capability of reaching nobility, but not perfection. For me, the scriptural narrative about some of its heroes listed in the Hebrews 11 wall of faith validates its divine inspiration. What human author would include such flaws and dark accounts?
We all have soft spots (some of us are mushy to the core). We just haven’t had the exposure that some in the hero category experience. I don’t choose heroes because they wear halos; I choose them because they exemplify values. Heroes are critical to the life of accomplishment and achievement.
This week think about: 1) Who are my heroes? 2) What character traits do I value most highly? 3) When do I expect too much of others?
Words of Wisdom: “Genuine heroes finish well, so tapping one in mid-life is premature.”
Wisdom from the Word: “The Lord values the lives of his faithful followers.” (Psalm 116:15 NET Bible)