Heroes come in many shapes...
Illustration
Heroes come in many shapes, sizes, and colors. Just think of some of today's heroes in your own life. Perhaps there is a photo, tattered and brown with age, of your mother or dad, who taught you right from wrong, inspiring you to stay on life's straight and narrow path of righteousness. Other heroes such as Michael Jordan stand tall while Mother Teresa of Calcutta fame stretched out a gnarled hand aged to parchment smoothness to grasp the leper's claw-like hand. Whatever heroes you have, it is always important to have someone to look up to and admire. In Hebrews 11 the author walks us through a "Hall of Fame" of biblical heroes. Names like Gideon, Samson, David, and the prophets are presented to us as people to emulate in our personal walk with God. In his poem "Heroes," William Canton shares his understanding of why heroes are important.
... They beat down Wrong, they strove for Right
In summer dream or winter tale;
I tell of warriors, saints and kings,
In scarlet, sackcloth, glittering mail
And helmets peaked with iron wings.
The light still gleams. From far away
Their brave song greets us like a cheer,
We fight the same great fight as they.
Right against Wrong, we, now and here,
They, in their fashion, yesterday.
May all of us look up the passages concerning the heroes mentioned in Hebrews. As we read again their well-known stories, we will be inspired to forsake lives of quiet desperation and begin to live for Christ with heroic faith, hope, and love. -- Mills
... They beat down Wrong, they strove for Right
In summer dream or winter tale;
I tell of warriors, saints and kings,
In scarlet, sackcloth, glittering mail
And helmets peaked with iron wings.
The light still gleams. From far away
Their brave song greets us like a cheer,
We fight the same great fight as they.
Right against Wrong, we, now and here,
They, in their fashion, yesterday.
May all of us look up the passages concerning the heroes mentioned in Hebrews. As we read again their well-known stories, we will be inspired to forsake lives of quiet desperation and begin to live for Christ with heroic faith, hope, and love. -- Mills
