Wherever you find them
Heroes - people we admire - reveal a lot about us. They tell other people about our personal core values. I agree with Leith Anderson's (senior pastor of Wooddale Church, Eden Prairie, MN) statement that, "Too many Christians have confused the call of leadership with a desire to be a hero..... Heroes are rare...."
By imitating them, we begin to become like them. At least that's what a wise man once affirmed:
He who walks with the wise grows wise,
but a companion of fools suffers harm.
Proverbs 13:20
The people we look up to and model our life after help determine what we become. Paul reminds us that there are limits to following our heroes: "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.: (1 Cor. 11:1)
How do I define a hero? The definition I like says that heroes are ".... the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences." By that definition - timeliness and cost, my newest heroes are worthy of emulation.
SFC Jared Monti is the most recent recipient of the Medal of Honor. He was only 30 years old but by all accounts there were early glimpses of his hero qualities. At 17 he asked his dad if he could cut down a spruce tree from their yard, because a local family wasn’t going to have a Christmas tree. Then, “he bought them ornaments, presents, Christmas dinner, and he never told anyone,” his father said.
SFC Monti in a quiet moment
My other "new hero" is on the other end of the spectrum chronologically but if timeliness and cost are appropriate metrics, he's a hero. He's also another one who displayed his hero qualities early on. Irwin Stovroff saw what needed to be done - and then went and did it. When you read the news story you'll see this wasn't the first time he answered the call.
Heroes - they're wherever you find them.
By imitating them, we begin to become like them. At least that's what a wise man once affirmed:
He who walks with the wise grows wise,
but a companion of fools suffers harm.
Proverbs 13:20
The people we look up to and model our life after help determine what we become. Paul reminds us that there are limits to following our heroes: "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.: (1 Cor. 11:1)
How do I define a hero? The definition I like says that heroes are ".... the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences." By that definition - timeliness and cost, my newest heroes are worthy of emulation.
SFC Jared Monti is the most recent recipient of the Medal of Honor. He was only 30 years old but by all accounts there were early glimpses of his hero qualities. At 17 he asked his dad if he could cut down a spruce tree from their yard, because a local family wasn’t going to have a Christmas tree. Then, “he bought them ornaments, presents, Christmas dinner, and he never told anyone,” his father said.
SFC Monti in a quiet moment
My other "new hero" is on the other end of the spectrum chronologically but if timeliness and cost are appropriate metrics, he's a hero. He's also another one who displayed his hero qualities early on. Irwin Stovroff saw what needed to be done - and then went and did it. When you read the news story you'll see this wasn't the first time he answered the call.
Heroes - they're wherever you find them.
Hi Alan. Good stuff, here! I have read some of Anderson's other books, and I have been at Wooddale Church in Eden Prarie, MN a few times. I hope to be at Trinity Church on Sunday, August 30 when you are scheduled to preach. Hi Catherine. She looks good! ChasF
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Looking forward to seeing you at the end of the month!
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