Nine-eleven was a tragedy comparable to that of Pearl Harbor attack which caused President Roosevelt to say, “This is a day that will live in infamy.” But, it also produced some men and women who have been declared heroes. First, there were the few men who commandeered the hi-jackers and caused the plane in which they were riding to crash in Pennsylvania rather than fly into the White House. Second, there were over four hundred firefighters and policemen who entered the burning Twin Towers to save whom they could. Third, there were hundreds of men and women who worked tirelessly to find the survivors of the devastated buildings.
These men and women, who are declared heroes, were just ordinary men and women who did extraordinary events when the situation called for it. God has always had men and women who were heroes of faith. With God’s help you can be a hero today just like those whose lives are recorded in the Bible.
Heroes vs Pseudo-Heroes
There was a time in our history when we selected the right kind of men and women to be our heroes. We tend to become like our heroes – they become our mentors. Our nation has gone “downhill” since we have honored the wrong kind of people as heroes. Too often America’s heroes have been athletes, TV and movie actors, musicians, the rich, famous, and glamorous. Are they really our heroes? Have you thought about the language of these or their one-night stands or their divorce records or acts of domestic violence? It is easy to be impressed by their talent in their respective fields, but we ought to look at their character. Joe Wheeler said of those who select these men and women as their heroes, “The meringue displaced the filling, the hype displaced the substance, the illusion displaced the real” (Everyday Heroes, p.1). Wheeler goes on to say, “We have been following pseudo-heroes rather than real ones and we have been programming our children to do the same.”
Defining Heroes
There are several terms that come to mind which describe a hero. (1) Courage – it is impossible to be a hero without this quality, (2) Daring – (We must use this word guardedly, because it can have a negative connotation), (3) Noble – superior in mind, character, ideals, and morals.
A dictionary has this definition, “Lofty and exalted in character – an exalted moral character; one who is honorable, high-minded; one who scorns to be petty, mean, base, or dishonorable in any way; one who is admired as a model or ideal – godlike qualities, determined and intense and willing to take a risk or make sacrifices.” According to the definitions given above, it rules out most of the men and women whom the world claims as their heroes.
In practical terms a hero is someone worthy of admiration and emulation. The most common hero is often an ordinary man, woman, or child who accomplishes extra-ordinary feats. They have an unshakable sense of honor – doing what is right. Their integrity (total honesty) is as solid as “the rock of Gibraltar.” They are humble, quiet, self-assured – never ostentatious, proud, or demanding. They are trustworthy – someone you would trust with anything you have, even your life.
Kinds of Heroism
Basically, there are two kinds of heroes. First, one who response in a split-second decision producing a heroic act. This person doesn’t even stop to think about what needs to be done, he or she just does something immediately. A couple of years ago there was a story in the news about a man who was dangling from a ski-lift chair by his back pack and he was being choked. Another skier climbed the tower, walked the line and quickly cut him free so that he did not choke to death.
The more difficult heroism is a heroic life – a long succession of moment-by-moment acts that are consistently heroic. This is what God expects of us and is clearly attainable for each of us. You are a hero if you live a godly life and especially when you respond quickly with great boldness when something needs to be said or done to defend God and His principles. It takes determination to do what is right. It takes the will to see it through. It takes a heart willing to receive God’s strength and guidance.
Conclusion
The greatest heroes are not those who respond to an immediate physical crisis. The greatest heroes are those who live a steadfast, dedicated, life that honors God and demonstrates God’s love to others. The people to whom Peter wrote were heroes, even if they did not recognize it. He praised them by saying, “Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation” (I Peter 3:12). You can be and probably are someone’s hero. Keep living the Christian life and you will be God’s hero! Remember Paul’s exhortation, “Let’s not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary” (Galatians 6:9).
Wayne Burger