We think of heroes as crime-fighters in tights, running around with their underwear outside their pants. They're supposed to act selflessly, serve with great courage, and work for justice. They are larger than life, but we all have the opportunity to behave heroically. Acting selflessly with humility, we have opportunities each day to engage the challenges before us and be heroes for our families.
As Christians our model and ideal is more awesome than in any comic book, and he is found in the person of Jesus Christ. In scripture, we discover who Jesus is and learn how we can follow in his footsteps. 1 Peter 2:21 says, “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.” So if Christ is our example what does it look like to follow him?
Christ modeled humility.
Some heroes are full of flash and dazzle. Christ left the splendor of heaven for us. He emptied himself and took on flesh. He chose to be born as a helpless baby in a hick town to a single mom because we mattered more than enjoying the comforts of heaven. Christ did not come as an earthly prince, but as a teacher who washes the feet of his disciples. He challenges us to take on that mantel of humility and care for those around us.
Christ modeled Self-Sacrifice.
Some heroes show their power by smashing their opponents. Christ accepted the cup of suffering and death in our place rather than see us separated from having a relationship with our Heavenly Father. There is no greater love than this: the laying down of one's life for another. In our world where we get ruffled over things not going our way, we have the option of stepping up heroically and acting with selflessness to bless our families and communities.
Christ was on mission.
Some heroes act on their own. Christ was sent by his Father to bring in God’s kingdom. He described his work with words from Isaiah, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.”
We all have the opportunity to step up and be the heroes in the places where God has placed us. We can guide our families by our servant leadership and be champions for bringing in God’s kingdom. We are placed in our families for a purpose. We are called to love God with all of our being and to communicate God’s love to the next generation. That is our mission, in our everyday going we are making disciples.
The prophet Micah says it this way, “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
Written by: Deb Koster
