I’ve been reading the Bible for a number of years. I’ve read the stories of mighty men and women of God, and the great exploits they accomplished, because they dared to trust in their God.
Heroes.
I’ve also read of a number of others who didn’t fare so well. People who had the same opportunities as everyone else, but failed to advance God’s cause.
Non-Heroes.
What makes a hero out of an ordinary person? How can someone be a hero in this day and age?
Who are those who will rise above the world’s mediocrity, the “just-do-the-minimum-to-get-by” kind of thinking, and advance God’s plans and purposes?
Could it be you?
Heroes aren’t born, they simply become one during adverse circumstances. Pressure situations force them to be transformed from ordinary to extraordinary, from fearful to fearless!
Here are some quotes about heroes, which I really like:
“Heroes may not be braver than anyone else. They’re just braver 5 minutes longer.”
– Ronald Reagan
“My own heroes are the dreamers, those men and women who tried to make the world a better place than when they found it, whether in small ways or great ones. Some succeeded, some failed, most had mixed results… but it is the effort that’s heroic, as I see it. Win or lose, I admire those who fight the good fight.”
– George R.R. Martin
“All heroes are shadows of Christ.”
– John Piper
“I am of certain convinced that the greatest heroes are those who do their duty in the daily grind of domestic affairs whilst the world whirls as a maddening dreidel.”
– Florence Nightingale
“To be heroic does not have to mean possessing the ability to stand against the evils of the world, either well or successfully, but just that one is willing to stand.”
– Mike Alsford
“To be heroic may mean nothing more than this then, to stand in the face of the status quo, in the face of an easy collapse into the madness of an increasingly chaotic world and represent another way.”
– Mike Alsford
“Not every girl can be Isabelle Lightwood or Katniss Everdeen. I think the true measure of a hero is what a person does with what they have, how hard they are willing to fight, and how far they are willing to go to set things right.”
– Sarah Cross
“Today the word “hero” has been diminished; confused with “celebrity.” But in my father’s generation the word meant something. Celebrities seek fame. They take actions to get attention. Most often, the actions they take have no particular moral content. Heroes are heroes because they have risked something to help others. Their actions involve courage. Often, those heroes have been indifferent to the public’s attention. But at least, the hero could understand the focus of the emotion.”
– James Bradley
“And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets – who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated – of whom the world was not worthy-” (Hebrews 11:32-38 ESV)
“Heroes of the faith” were ordinary people who believed the promises of God; believed enough to push through their fears!
Every hero has moments of fear; moments they feel they want to quit. David wasn’t that much different than his older brothers. Jonathan was still his father’s son. But…
“Courage is not the absence of fear but rather the judgement that something is more important than fear; The brave may not live forever but the cautious do not live at all.”
– Meg Cabot
Today our world needs the courageous, the bold and compassionate, the people of God. This is our time to stand for truth and justice; God’s way.
It needs heroes!
Just like you!
Jan Grace 